The headline in out local paper last week, was that we have a "shortage of skilled workers," as Eastern Europeans are not keeping up their numbers where I live.(Southport)
Looking at the finer points of the article, what it actually said, was that Poles etc often take work of a more mediocre level than their abilities would reflect in their own country, so the new Hotels that are springing up in Southport will have to employ as waiters, chefs, maids and kitchen staff either students or less qualified workers. Presumably (by the tone of the article,) it means that the British staff would be working at their true level, whilst Polish staff would be more intelligent and yet working in a less coveted job here: thereby working harder but with more common sense and abilities and more importantly less pay.
Many of the Poles who live here are packed into old victorian houses, which they rent and as in comparison to their own country the wages are higher, they think they are getting a good deal.
If they bought houses, lived as one family and had to pay the not-shared council tax, they would soon see their minimum wage as less wonderful and/or indeed livable!