Durham Expert Hits Out At Migrant Guide

A professor at Durham University says a migrant guide makes it easier to find out how to claim benefits than report a crime.

Professor Thom Brooks says there are things missing - like the 999 number - in 'The Practical Guide to Living In The United Kingdom'

Prof Brooks, himself originally from the US and a British citizen since 2011, says he uncovered surprising omissions.

He claims the guide is flawed, adding "The new Practical Guide includes more information about claiming benefits than ever before”.

Well we got in touch with the guide's publisher's Williams Lea who sent us this statement:

All our publications go through a robust commissioning and quality assurance process. This includes a continual improvement programme post-publication to ensure that our products remain fit for purpose. We welcome and encourage feedback from those using our products so that they continue to best meet their needs. The content within the practical guide, whilst correct at time of going to press, contains timely information which is subject to change and we strive to incorporate any changes at suitable points in the publication lifecycle - e.g. at reprints and subsequent editions.

And when it comes to telling people how to contact the police, they added:

The first chapter of the book is called ‘How the law affects you’ and amongst other things includes information on:

· Laws and the legal system · Criminal law and civil law · Law enforcement and the role of the police. The book includes learning features such as ‘Action’ boxes. There is an ‘Action’ box which encourages readers to ‘find out where your nearest police station is’ and asks: ‘what phone number do you use in an emergency?’ and ‘what phone number do you use to contact the police if it is not an emergency?’

I would suggest that such prominence shows a clear focus on the importance of the law within the UK and provides our readers with a very solid foundation on which to build their lives in the UK.