"Rest of Europe" was perhaps a bit generic, Ake. But Germany has been absorbing more immigrants, of one sort or another, than the UK for years. So have the Scand's. English may be THE international language, but an awful lot of African countries (which is where the bulk of the migrants have been coming from for a long time) have French as a first or second language.

So why would they want to come here? Very many of them don't. As Musket suggested, the UK may still have a reputation for fair play, civilised compassionate citizens and statesman like government. But that doesn't necessarily make us the preferred destination, especially when the English Channel remains a hindrance!

I'm not about to go hunting for specific figures. However, I've seen enough reports over the years that have included them. The UK is not bottom of the list either by numbers accepted, or by numbers per head of population. Neither are we anywhere the top. Which is not the impression I am left with from what comes out of most of the UK media.