Well the EU citizens I know say they'd never go back to their homelands after experiencing life in the UK. One young woman says she cannot believe people get paid so much for not working, or for even slacking off at work, having Fridays off, and flexi-time etc. She thinks its wonderful and she loves the fact she gets benefits now she's a mother.
And this "found it hard to generate much sympathy. One woman had been here for 13 years, studied for a degree, had income support and a child, then had to wait for universal credit while she was getting her business off the ground with help from the job centre"
Her move to the UK has been absolutely miserable, hasn't it? A degree and a start-up business, plus benefits. All in 13 years. We really are giving EU residents a dreadful time.
She needs proof of residence via papers and most people wanting benefits have to supply this evidence. As a British tax payer I am glad the system is rigorous. It seems she got a bank loan and has a parent who has flown over from Poland to help out. She will get thousands of pounds in back payments if/when her case is sorted out.
Yes, being broke, without money is miserable and frightening (been there) and having to wait for benefits can create dreadful problems. I understand that and I understand the rolling out of UC has been very hit and miss. It is a better system though.
Why do some of us (and Guardian writers) have to see the UK as a bad - nay, dreadful - mean place?