But Jamme remains aware of how France's comprehensive social benefits, particularly those designed to help young families, can tempt many to stay. With his wife having just given birth to their first child, Jamme acknowledges that he would prefer to be in France over the next few months. There, his wife would be entitled to up to four months' maternity leave at full salary, and more children would bring in extra subsidies. Indeed, a move across the Channel is not for the financially faint-hearted. London is an expensive city and social benefits in Britain tend to be more meagre across the board.
Welfare checks buy less and entitlement is comparatively restrictive.
While that may be far-fetched, the French who succeed in improving their lot in Britain are generally fluent in English, brandishing a clutch of law or business diplomas, and highly motivated. Some have seized opportunities in Britain's private sector where they have found a dynamism they say is lacking in France. He has gone on to co-found the French Theatre Season in London and helps run England's Aldeburgh Festival of music. Figures from Admical, France's nearest equivalent to absa, show that business sponsorship of the arts in France is outpacing sponsorship in Britain. But Cochefert insists that fundamental differences remain.