# DANIEL HANNAN: Picture that sums up how the entire migrant industry regards the taxpayers of this country

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/daniel-hannan-picture-that-sums-up-how-the-entire-migrant-industry-regards-the-taxpayers-of-this-country/
- Published: 2026-11-03T06:59:40+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-03T07:37:51+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/debate/article-16259803/DANIEL-HANNAN-Picture-sums-entire-migrant-industry-regards-taxpayers-country.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: Americas, World

## Key points

- Hannan says irregular migrants’ employment rights undermine the citizen-state compact.
- He cites a tribunal award of more than £5,000 to a migrant without work permission.
- The article calls for a more selective immigration policy.

## Summary

Daniel Hannan argues that the UK’s handling of irregular migration weakens public confidence in the distinction between citizens and people without permission to live or work in the country. He links a photograph of a Channel migrant making an insulting gesture to what he describes as a system that grants benefits and legal protections without requiring reciprocal duties.

He points to the Employment Rights Act, which he says allows people working illegally to sue employers, and to Equality and Human Rights Commission guidance on protecting employees from harassment. He also cites a September employment tribunal award of more than £5,000 to a Malaysian migrant in Cumbria who had no legal right to work. The article frames these examples through philosopher John Locke’s idea of a social compact between citizens and the state, and argues for selecting migrants likely to contribute.

---
Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.