There are currently more than 700,000 people living on benefits in London.

Most do not want to work because wages are so low they get more by not working. Why are wages for unskilled or semi-skilled work so poor? Because immigrants are willing to work long hours for very low pay.

I spoke to one young man in a shop in Kingsbury who told me he worked 10 hours a day, seven days a week - 280 hours a month - for £800 a month.

There are several men working in this shop on the same pay.

The fact he was willing to tell me openly in front of customers his low pay shows he has no fear of our laws.

I told him this was illegal and he should be paid more but he just gave me a smile.

I admire these hard-working people, who send money back to their families.

I met a man in the park who said he was head chef in a local restaurant.

Again he was paid very poorly and in fact he had two jobs and supported his family in India by sending money home.

A third man told me he worked six hours non-stop cooking fried chicken for £4 an hour every day.

So, there are two classes of people in London. Legal workers and illegal workers.

What would happen if I reported these shops and restaurants to the Home Office?

Nothing. No action would be taken at all.

This has been going on for years in London, which is why the illegal wages stay low, so keeping people from seeking work, as welfare pays more.

The Home Office does not care to enforce the law.

PHILIP VAN GRONDELLE

Shakespeare Drive Kenton