Trump

Dickens
From the Government.UK site entitled Asylum Support, asylum seekers who are allocated living accommodation with meals ie. a hotel, will receive £8.86 per person living in their household per week. In addition pregnant women receive an additional £5.25 per week. A baby under one year will receive an additional £9.50, and a child aged one to three years receives an additional £5.25 per week.
If asylum seekers don’t live in a hotel but are assigned a different place to live, they do not pay rent, and receive £49.18 per person in the household for food, clothing, and toiletries per week. Children are entitled to go to school and may get free school meals. Some additional grants are available such as maternity grants payable at £300, but it must be applied for. In addition all asylum seekers receive free prescription medications, free dental care, free eye sight tests, and help paying for glasses. It’s not made clear who pays for council tax or energy costs, but I presume those are paid by government or councils.
I just thought I’d look it up and set the record straight. It’s certainly not a fortune but I have no doubt it costs the country a great deal of money.

You’re right, it’s not inevitable, but it’s the norm for it to happen, so it’s a rare person who is as sharp at eighty as they were at 40. My mum is another one who is still very sharp at 95, but sadly my dad who is the same age isn’t.

*Might happen Casdon.
My Scottish stepfather is 92 and as sharp as a tack. 😊

Trump has been making similar mistakes frequently lately.
Be warned Urmstongran, if we make it to near eighty it will happen to us too.
www.bu.edu/articles/2024/trump-biden-signs-of-cognitive-decline/

At the risk of being accused of ageism, I think both front runners are too old to be POTUS.

There is a fine line between years of experience and when our brains and bodies begin to slow down.

Urmstongran

Did anyone see the news clip yesterday of Biden saying ‘I will get into trouble if I answer questions’.

Who from? His minders? His PR team?

Then, most worryingly, he just stared off to a point ahead of him for a full 15 seconds. In a crowded room. His audience just waiting ….

You try it yourself now. 15 seconds is an awfully long uncomfortable silence in a discussion group.

I’m sorry for the man. His wife should (ought to) encourage him to step down. Watching him makes me feel uncomfortable to be honest. I feel like I’m taking part in a spectator sport - waiting (but hoping he doesn’t) for him to trip up, slip down some steps, muddle his words up. It isn’t right. Most of us can see it and know it. The poor man. If he were my relative I’d be looking out for his well being.

It’s very sad! I also think the strain of POTUS really takes it toll on most Presidents. Who’d really want that awful job!

Did anyone see the news clip yesterday of Biden saying ‘I will get into trouble if I answer questions’.

Who from? His minders? His PR team?

Then, most worryingly, he just stared off to a point ahead of him for a full 15 seconds. In a crowded room. His audience just waiting ….

You try it yourself now. 15 seconds is an awfully long uncomfortable silence in a discussion group.

I’m sorry for the man. His wife should (ought to) encourage him to step down. Watching him makes me feel uncomfortable to be honest. I feel like I’m taking part in a spectator sport - waiting (but hoping he doesn’t) for him to trip up, slip down some steps, muddle his words up. It isn’t right. Most of us can see it and know it. The poor man. If he were my relative I’d be looking out for his well being.

nanna8

What AlwaysSmiling was trying to get across, as was I, is that we would prefer Trump over Biden. Neither of us are talking about his policies re immigrants. We are entitled to our opinions even if you don’t understand them. I see another point of view having dealt with and befriended many Americans who are not from the north and New York. I don’t particularly like the man, he is deeply flawed but that is what is on offer just now.

Well AwaysSmiling certainly was talking about immigrants.

We have family on the West Coast and they certainly don’t want Trump back as POTUS.

I think most of us agree that both Trump and Biden are far too old, however Biden clearly isn’t mentally deranged!

Oldnproud

Germanshepherdsmum

It seems that AlwaysSmiling would rather these people were just allowed onto the streets, with no money and, without papers, no ability to find lawful work. Now what might be the result of that?

I have never heard of asylum seekers being housed in five star hotels but am happy to be corrected if someone can provide evidence.

Unfortunately I see in AlwaysSmiling’s attitudes a great similarity to those of Trump’s followers in the US.

I was thinking the same, GSM.

And even if asylum seekers - or the homeless - are being housed in five star hotels, I very much doubt that they are getting anything more than one star service, a far cry from the image that certain papers like to feed to their readers.

I believe the hospitality industry in the UK suffered considerably when, obviously, demand fell at the outbreak of, and during, the pandemic.

What I can remember from what I read a couple of years ago or so, there were those that were considering closing down or were hanging on by a thread or two. Then the government stepped in and offered to commandeer some of the failing hotels to house immigrants because of the numbers and because they had nowhere to house them - 5 star, 2 star - all were affected. This enabled the hotels to remain in business.

Like you, I doubt they were getting 5-star room service. As portrayed by certain sections of the media. What was happening was that they were being largely confined to their rooms during lockdown - for obvious reasons- and any 'room service' was to stop them wandering around and possibly spreading the virus.

I don't know what is happening now, but I really don't think hotel staff are running around in black trousers and white waist-coats bearing silver salvers with delectable dishes of food. I believe it's very basic foodstuff and, now the pandemic wave is over those that are still in hotels might well be compelled to eat in a communal area.

It was also claimed by some far-right activists that they were being given £40 per week to spend. The reality is that they were given £5 per week for things like 'phone credit. All verifiable.

It's not an ideal situation, but this mischief-making by far-right activists like Tommy Robinson really don't help.

What AlwaysSmiling was trying to get across, as was I, is that we would prefer Trump over Biden. Neither of us are talking about his policies re immigrants. We are entitled to our opinions even if you don’t understand them. I see another point of view having dealt with and befriended many Americans who are not from the north and New York. I don’t particularly like the man, he is deeply flawed but that is what is on offer just now.

MayBee70

Has anyone seen the programme that was made about the way Trump treated people in Scotland when he built a golf course there? I don’t know if it’s still available to watch but DH has been talking about it for years.

"You've been Trumped" l watched it at the time. I think it's available online but pay to view.

The Abraham Accords was flawed right from the start, as the 'Palestinian' side of the situation was ignored, with the tragic consequences we now see on a daily basis for both Gazans and Israelis.

AlwaysSmiling

I would also vote for Trump. If he was the Prime Minister of The UK perhaps we would not be inundated with immigrants taking all our hard earned money. But sadly, all we have is a weak kneed little twerp in charge of toffee nosed born with a silver spoon in their mouths people.

Trump did not solve the immigrant problem when he was in office. He built a few shoddy walls that are easily penetrable. His main accomplishment was forking out tax deductions for billionaires. This lead to huge debts. Glad you are not voting !

Germanshepherdsmum

It seems that AlwaysSmiling would rather these people were just allowed onto the streets, with no money and, without papers, no ability to find lawful work. Now what might be the result of that?

I have never heard of asylum seekers being housed in five star hotels but am happy to be corrected if someone can provide evidence.

Unfortunately I see in AlwaysSmiling’s attitudes a great similarity to those of Trump’s followers in the US.

I was thinking the same, GSM.

And even if asylum seekers - or the homeless - are being housed in five star hotels, I very much doubt that they are getting anything more than one star service, a far cry from the image that certain papers like to feed to their readers.

Has anyone seen the programme that was made about the way Trump treated people in Scotland when he built a golf course there? I don’t know if it’s still available to watch but DH has been talking about it for years.

I absolutely concur with much that has already been said with regard to Trump's qualities that make him totally unsuitable and dangerous as POTUS. He is very good at one thing though, he is a brilliant self publicist and relies on his supporters only reading headlines and having extremely short memories for actual facts. His foreign policy has been dire, not only for the US but also for the world. He withdrew from the Trans - Pacific Partenrshi promising to replace it with lots of beneficial bilateral agreements which didn't come to fruition. He withdrew from the Paris Climate agreement. He met with Kim Jong-un to get him to end his nuclear programme. It continues despite the concessions agreed to by Trump. He agreed to withdrawing troops from Syria and Afghanistan and we know what happened there! Mayhem with Turkey invading Syria and the Taliban taking over in Afghanistan. The Abraham Accords merely had agreements between Israel and countries they had never been in conflict with, actually normalising a situation that already existed and was just the start of what could have been a proper peace treaty but Palestine was completely left out of the negotiations. And he never built the bl...y wall or got Mexico to pay one penny for it. Sadly, most of his supporters don't even have a passport so their knowledge of the world and America's role in it is pretty limited.

Boz

This attitude stems from fear. The average T voter wants a world that no longer exists. They feel threatened by the new and the different. They love the idea of a strong leader but I don't. I remember Mussolini, Hitler, Saddam H. and want a better world for my grandchildren that is based on sensible, concensual politics not power grabbing.
Trump is like the Wizard of Oz; full of special effects signifying nothing.

Well said!

This attitude stems from fear. The average T voter wants a world that no longer exists. They feel threatened by the new and the different. They love the idea of a strong leader but I don't. I remember Mussolini, Hitler, Saddam H. and want a better world for my grandchildren that is based on sensible, concensual politics not power grabbing.
Trump is like the Wizard of Oz; full of special effects signifying nothing.

It seems that AlwaysSmiling would rather these people were just allowed onto the streets, with no money and, without papers, no ability to find lawful work. Now what might be the result of that?

I have never heard of asylum seekers being housed in five star hotels but am happy to be corrected if someone can provide evidence.

Unfortunately I see in AlwaysSmiling’s attitudes a great similarity to those of Trump’s followers in the US.

AlwaysSmiling

I have never in all the forums I have been on found so many nasty people who give terrible comments to people who are just stating their views. Everyone is entitled to their own view on certain matters and if they do not agree with your views then of course, offer your comments but in a decent way, there is no need to name call and be obnoxious about it.

I’m not sure this is the right site for you if you’re going to single out existing members by name and be rude about them! Perhaps plain speaking and sincere responses don’t suit your agenda or perhaps you’re a little too sensitive.

It’s a bit rude to come on here and start slating people whom you barely know!

AlwaysSmiling

So why are British born and bred people having to go to food banks and sleeping on the streets whilst illegal immigrants are coming over on rubber boats (if you notice, all young men, where are their wives and children) housed in 5 star hotels and given spending money. If they refused to house these people and give them money then perhaps there would be more in the coffers for the people who pay their dues. Atrocious.

Listen, research, watch and learn!

Asylum Seekers, however they enter our country, have “no recourse to public funds”, nor “no right to work”. The money set aside to fund these people is ringfenced and they have no right to claim any traditional welfare benefits, eg housing benefit, child benefit, Universal Credits, etc etc. They are not allowed, by law, to undertake work of any kind until they are processed by the Home Office and given leave to remain, which might be indefinite or a fixed period of time. The Home Office is way behind with processing and it can take several months to process applications.

They are rarely housed in 5 star hotel, there are more males than females because due to the countries from which they come it’s much more likely than men will speak out against the govt or be conscripted into the army. Not all asylum seekers are genuine asylum seekers, but heads of families seeking economic migration.

Asylum Seekers make up Approx 1% of our 67m+ population and clearly are not responsible for any British born person either being homeless or using food banks. There are a myriad of reasons why people are homeless and/or using food banks, loss of job, cost of living crisis, breakdown of relationships, mental or physical health conditions! None of which have anything to do with men on rubber boats arriving in the UK.

Thank you Boz, that is very kind and I reciprocate.

Calling someone out for plain intelligent appraisal is unpleasant. GSM is one of many women on GN who are an asset to the Forum.

AlwaysSmiling

I have never in all the forums I have been on found so many nasty people who give terrible comments to people who are just stating their views. Everyone is entitled to their own view on certain matters and if they do not agree with your views then of course, offer your comments but in a decent way, there is no need to name call and be obnoxious about it.

Perhaps you would quote some of these ‘terrible comments’. Who has name called or been obnoxious, and where? At least I assume that when you refer to ‘so many nasty people’ you’re not just singling me out again.

Maybe you should steer clear of the more controversial topics.

AlwaysSmiling

I have never in all the forums I have been on found so many nasty people who give terrible comments to people who are just stating their views. Everyone is entitled to their own view on certain matters and if they do not agree with your views then of course, offer your comments but in a decent way, there is no need to name call and be obnoxious about it.

You are new I believe? Have a read through a few threads and you will find that although many of us heartily disagree with each other, we are never as rude as you have been. This is a discussion forum, not an argument forum. Otherwise; welcome