Coming from Polish descent myself and having spoke to the Polish immigrants it is clear that beyond popular belief of the media, by far the majority of Polish immigrants come to earn money and learn new skills. These skills can then be used within the UK industries but not all PI (Polish Immigrants) come with or want to learn new skills. Those who are unskilled and want basic work take up the jobs that the English work force did not want such as farm workand other laborious tasks. The Polish workers also offer a source of low cost labour and a high level of hard working standards due to their work ethics to keep their employer happy. Another benefit is, more typically from Hungary, a great number of highly skilled professionals have immigrated to the UK such as doctors and dentists providing the UK with a much needed boost in these areas. The education system in these countries are of an excellent standard and tend to be more multilingual based from an early age.
Certain disadvantages come from this though, as with all things, as a large portion of the workforce are returning home, and with them the money they have earned. This means that there is more money leaving the British economy so less is being spent over here in services or commercial businesses. It also is clear that a small majority of the PI are not paying tax on the money they earn as they and their employers opt for a 'cash in hand' agreement which means that the British Government is open to benefit fraud. It must be stated though if these worker are paying tax and NI in the UK then they do have the right to claim benefits when, as is all so common at the present time, they no longer have employment.