Stand off drowning migrants and report – or face prosecution, sailors warned

Coastpath not Coastalpath - sorry.

Urmstongran
The £39 a week is for their personal needs.
Paid for by us taxpayers I may say.
Bed, board and 3 meals a day provided free

Growstuff.
No, they have to buy food out of the £39.

Well which is it ???

Would the English authorities stop immigrants leaving England for the EU if the shoe was on the other foot? These people would not be breaking the law would they?

TopsyIrene06

*Whitewavemark2*. Same here. I'm afraid I couldn't believe the hard heartedness I read on here last night so I had to leave. I totally endorse Coastalpath's sentiments and I can't believe that we have become the judgemental, inward looking nation that I feared. I heard this morning, anecdotally, that one of the refugees who drowned was an interpreter who couldn't wait for GB to help him. Absolute disgrace. I'm so sorry. May they find the everlasting peace that we failed to give them.

?

Whitewavemark2. Same here. I'm afraid I couldn't believe the hard heartedness I read on here last night so I had to leave. I totally endorse Coastalpath's sentiments and I can't believe that we have become the judgemental, inward looking nation that I feared. I heard this morning, anecdotally, that one of the refugees who drowned was an interpreter who couldn't wait for GB to help him. Absolute disgrace. I'm so sorry. May they find the everlasting peace that we failed to give them.

I agree with Coastpath's post too. As a percentage of GDP, the UK spends a miniscule amount on refugees and asylum seekers. I would far rather that the government spends money in this way than many other ways.

I'm appalled at some of the misconceptions about asylum seekers which have been shown on this thread. Unfortunately, these myths are repeated so often that people believe they are true.

I agree with Coastpath's post too. As a percentage of GDP, the UK spends a miniscule amount on refugees and asylum seekers. I would far rather that the government spends money in this way than many other ways.

I'm appalled at some of the misconceptions about asylum seekers which have been shown on this thread. Unfortunately, these myths are repeated so often that people believe they are true.

You know last evening, I could no longer post on this thread because I was so profoundly upset at some of the callous, inhumane posts that utterly lacked empathy if any kind.

We are better than this!

Germanshepherdsmum Can someone explain to me why asylum seekers (political or economic) are so desperate to come to the UK that they will pay huge amounts to people smugglers and risk their and their families’ lives, despite passing through other perfectly safe countries in Europe? I accept that some may have family who are here legally but they must be a small minority. This is a genuine question to which I would like an answer.
Firstly, it is a minority of refugees who seek to come to the U.K. More settle in Germany, Sweden, France, Greece and other countries. There are a number of reasons why some wish to come here - family connections, they speak some English so easier for them to get by, historically the U.K. had the Empire so many still believe U.K. has international status, some just know the names of premier league football teams. Unlike France, Italy and many other countries there is no ID system , so easier to get work under the radar, also the asylum system here means they know they can stay for years whether or not they get asylum. Some of these things we could do something about but haven’t. Those who blame the French, could turn it around and blame the failed asylum system in the U.K. for failing to properly address the issue and cooperate with the rest of Europe over many years.

Lucca

Blossoming

Alegrias1

What an excellent post Coastpath.

Seconded.

Thirded

And me how ever many that is.

I’m too old now to do much physically to help, but I can pay my tax and give money towards these people and their new life with us.

Lucca

Blossoming

Alegrias1

What an excellent post Coastpath.

Seconded.

Thirded

And me how ever many that is.

I’m too old now to do much physically to help, but I can pay my tax and give money towards these people and their new life with us.

Alegrias1

What an excellent post Coastpath.

Fifthed from me. I am quite happy for my taxes to be used to support these poor, traumatised people.
There was a news report tonight from a camp in France, one of the asylum seekers there said that many wanted to get the UK as the French were constantly destroying their camps and seizing all their belongings. They had little to no food and were treated appallingly, consequently they were desperate to leave.

Germanshepherdsmum

Can someone explain to me why asylum seekers (political or economic) are so desperate to come to the UK that they will pay huge amounts to people smugglers and risk their and their families’ lives, despite passing through other perfectly safe countries in Europe? I accept that some may have family who are here legally but they must be a small minority. This is a genuine question to which I would like an answer. Please do not pile in on me for asking it.

Surely the answer is obvious? They are desperate. War. Climate change. Their lives and homes are destroyed and they want to try to save their families.

If we were in their shoes, we would do the same.

Really tragic news today:

uk.news.yahoo.com/migrant-crossings-several-people-drown-153800642.html

And me! It's the 'bringing to shore' element that could create difficulties - not the rescues, anyway - so I'd expect people would feel compelled to help. Another media hype?

Oops. Fourthed

Blossoming

Alegrias1

What an excellent post Coastpath.

Seconded.

Thirded

Blossoming

Alegrias1

What an excellent post Coastpath.

Seconded.

Thirded.

How lucky we are to be relatively safe compared to asylum seekers. Where is our compassion? I’m happy to pay my taxes towards helping these unfortunate people. In fact, I’d far rather support them than those who earn 80k plus per annum, wining and dining at our expense and working part time as MPs, who give their cronies lucrative government contracts!

I really don’t think that we are going to be able to liaise with the French.
I was listening to a retired rear admiral this evening. His opinion is, the only way is through the international court: namely, to accuse the French government of aiding and abetting an illegal operation.

Alegrias1

What an excellent post Coastpath.

Seconded.

What an excellent post Coastpath.

I wish we could calmly, amicably and sensibly work together with other countries to resolve this. We need to stop people dying in the channel and end all crime linked to people trafficking without delay.

Surely it is possible - essential - for our governments to work together to devise a plan. We need a workable plan as climate change will mean more people leaving their homelands and seeking refuge here.

We need workers. These people need safe homes, some need to be near family. The RNLI does not need to risk their lives.

People like Nigel Farage whip up hatred and spread misinformation and do nothing to resolve the situation. As an MEP he had years to help resolve this and he did nothing. If people in small boats coming to the UK meant so much to him there was his chance to make a positive change - to do something constructive and positive with his one life. He did nothing about it.

I am happy to pay for this government collaboration and the making of a plan. I am happy to pay for the ethical and legal care of asylum seekers from my taxes. I think this is exactly the sort of thing I pay taxes for. When asylum seekers become UK workers they will most likely pay more into the tax system than I do. They will pay for the next group of desperate people who come to our country to work, raise children and enjoy the safety and benefits we have. They might well end up caring for me when I am unable to do so myself in future.

Urmstongran

Well I’m not.
We shall have to agree to disagree on this topic then Alegrias.

Why am I not surprised?

The Dover lifeboat has been called to another incident on the French coast, together with the French services.

I am happy to keep paying too, certainly happier than about my contributions to the royal family. On a day to day basis we dont really implement taxation based on peoples happiness.