Racist people will always be there - looking to stir up the fears of the most vulnerable people in times like these.They are very clever. They target a minority group in an area which is particularly struggling,then they use half truths or highlight a particular issue - claiming it to be a major reason for the loss of jobs and then watch it spread like wildfire.
All they then need is to fire up the right wing media and Bob's your uncle.
The banks have caused this recession - not a few "foreign"labourers who are exploited horribly by the people who hire them. I believe the unions would do better to try to ensure these workers were treated properly and paid the going rate rather than striking about their being employed.After all , many British people work in European countries because they are well paid. We would be up in arms if they were treated in the same way as the labourers here.

Gilly, you have not replied to my question so I'm not quite sure if you were "Having a dig" at me or had misunderstood my motives . However , I would like to point out that I was using the example of lies being told about the so-called effect of a minority group on the economy of a country,and these lies being used as an excuse for racist attacks. I don't believe either side in Gaza have used economic reasons as an excuse for their behaviour .This is why I didn't give it as an example.It wasn't relevant to the point I was making.There are other excuses being made for the atrocities there - on both sides.