When Britain opened its borders to the 10 “accession” countries that joined the European Union two years ago, the ever-reliable Home Office predicted that between 5,000 and 13,000 would come to Britain from the new member states. In fact, as we report today, rather more than that have come in each month from just one of our new EU partners, Poland. An estimated 350,000 Poles have settled here, making it the biggest foreign influx since the Huguenots fled French persecution in the 17th century.

The Poles have had good reason to come. Times are tough at home, with unemployment at more than 2.8m, or almost 18% of the workforce. EU membership is bringing economic benefits but not fast enough to soak up the country’s army of jobless people. Existing member states in “old” Europe confirmed earlier this month that they will continue to keep their doors barred to workers from eastern Europe. The EU, which is supposed to be about the four freedoms — goods, services, capital and people — remains far from free when it comes to the movement of people.

Some say that Britain should do the same, that we should close our borders to the arrivals from Warsaw, Cracow and Gdansk. Antony Worrall Thompson, the celebrity chef, last week blamed poor restaurant service here on eastern European waiters who struggle with the language. He is about as wrong as he could be. Poles come to Britain to work, not to claim benefits. They tend to be young, conscientious and in many cases highly skilled. They often speak English as well as the natives, if not better. Employers testify to the fact that Poles have filled the jobs that local workers are unable or unwilling to do, and are industrious and reliable. Economists calculate that by relieving labour shortages and pay pressures, the Poles have contributed to economic growth and held down inflation and interest rates. When their own economy is stronger, many of the Poles will return home. In the meantime, we should celebrate the fact that they are here.