How can Sunak stop "illegal" entry for asylum seekers if there is no "legal" way.

Well, he can't, can he.

It's just hot air for the xenophobes.

It's the popular definition of madness; do the same thing over and over again and expect it to get different results.

Is this really the most important issue on voters' minds just now over the whole UK? I can see that it is an issue for those living in Kent, but surely that doesn't justify breaking international friendships, or even international law. Just speed up the asylum process for a start and let's allow some of the people who want to come here for safety to get on and work (as they want to but are not allowed to) for a living, contribute to society and pay tax.

Nah... too sensible Wheniwasyourage

Maybe because the government want to speed up the deportations for Albanians as it’s called a safe country.That’s what Germany did.
All the healthy mainly young men from Albania want to work here for the well paid jobs.They can’t earn anything like that in their own country.Since Albanians make up 30% of the people coming over on small boats it seems like a sensible decision.
I guess the term illegal immigrants covers it as they and others are entering a country without passports, paperwork or permission.

Here we go...

Albanians...

If Albanians make up a big percentage of the economic migrants then why not mention them? That’s in the news at the mo, meetings with the Albanian government to sort it out.
They can’t want a lot of their work force to go missing after all.
I don’t blame them for wanting to come here or Germany, but Germany is now closed to them.They aren’t asylum seekers in any case.

I really don’t understand why Albanians have been allowed to enter (as refugees) at all. Albania is not a war zone, nor is it AFAIK in the grip of drought, famine, or flood.
Yes, it’s a poor country, but so are others - which are war zones, and/or in the grip of severe drought/famine.

The U.K. already has a dire shortage of affordable housing, and more and more people are needing food banks. And we don’t have enough GPs, hospital doctors and nurses for our existing population.

Please feel free to disagree, but I don’t see how - with the best will in the world - we can afford to admit as refugees, everyone who thinks they stand a chance of a better life in the U.K. Where does it stop?

MaizieD

Here we go...

Albanians...

In the PM’s statement he mentioned that there had been an agreement reached between the U.K. and Albanian governments to return the majority of the Albanian young male asylum seekers to Albania.

(The statement is available in full on the gov.u.k. Website)

It's not the most important issue Wheniwasyourage but it is high on the lists of voters whose votes the Conservatives need to win in the up coming 2023 local elections.

We will, no doubt, get this idiotic repeat of old ideas, including the idea of voter ID, which no one has proved we need (except by tales of a neighbour's neighbour).

We are also being lied to about the "new" Brexit Deals achieved. This last one has put the UK Statistics Authority in the unenviable position of having to write to the the Tories (Michael Gove) to ask him to stop it. But it's plain to see who Sunak and Gove's lies are intended to attract.

So no change at the top of the Tories then.

Witzend

I really don’t understand why Albanians have been allowed to enter (as refugees) at all. Albania is not a war zone, nor is it AFAIK in the grip of drought, famine, or flood.
Yes, it’s a poor country, but so are others - which are war zones, and/or in the grip of severe drought/famine.

The U.K. already has a dire shortage of affordable housing, and more and more people are needing food banks. And we don’t have enough GPs, hospital doctors and nurses for our existing population.

Please feel free to disagree, but I don’t see how - with the best will in the world - we can afford to admit as refugees, everyone who thinks they stand a chance of a better life in the U.K. Where does it stop?

The problem isn't that we don't stop them, or that we do. The government cannot administer a system even if that is what they wanted to to (and they don't).

Sunak is doing nothing other than appeal to the lowest common denominator in order to get the votes he needs to stop him being the next PM to leave.

Bit hard on Sunak there DaisyAnne he’s trying to get the numbers down.
If Albanians can be fast tracked back to their country it leaves more room to sort out genuine asylum seekers.
I see nothing wrong in that at all.

We will, no doubt, get this idiotic repeat of old ideas, including the idea of voter ID, which no one has proved we need (except by tales of a neighbour's neighbour).

It's now law, *DaisyAnne^, it's happening.

Why are people happy about the billions this is costing our country in putting these people, mainly men, in hotels? I’m not happy about it. Why should I and my family be paying tax for this?

"If"*Oreo*. We have had these sorts of statements before but they have just been PR. They will not/cannot organise. They do not recognise international law that our country helped put in place so they screech to a halt. It seems to be beneath them to actually do these things well.

Now maybe you think this time it will be different - but why should anyone else think that?

MaizieD

^We will, no doubt, get this idiotic repeat of old ideas, including the idea of voter ID, which no one has proved we need (except by tales of a neighbour's neighbour).^

It's now law, *DaisyAnne^, it's happening.

It wont happen properly Maizie. They will not have organised the ID for those that don't have any. Why should they? They don't want them to vote.

It will be yet another unnecessary law that fails.

Forsythia

Why are people happy about the billions this is costing our country in putting these people, mainly men, in hotels? I’m not happy about it. Why should I and my family be paying tax for this?

No one is. But they have run this country down wasting money on Micky Mouse schemes. Why can't they stop playing politics and govern. It really isn't that much to ask of a government.

DaisyAnne

Forsythia

Why are people happy about the billions this is costing our country in putting these people, mainly men, in hotels? I’m not happy about it. Why should I and my family be paying tax for this?

No one is. But they have run this country down wasting money on Micky Mouse schemes. Why can't they stop playing politics and govern. It really isn't that much to ask of a government.

That’s great. So let’s hear your solution to housing them and supporting them then.

That does not deserve and answer. You are not in government and neither am I. However, 12 years of mismanagement is quite enough for me and, it appears, the majority in this country.

No DaisyAnne that’s not good enough. You provide an answer since you posted after my message. Tell us all, we are waiting. Why is it acceptable for billions of money earned through taxpayers of this country to be spent on migrants who arrive having contributed nothing. Housed in hotels, 3 meals day which they complain about, free to roam around the towns and cities that they’re deposited in, nobody asked for them to be there. Meanwhile, the taxpayers are working supporting this. You might be for it but I am not.

That’s great. So let’s hear your solution to housing them and supporting them then.

Safe legal routes for asylum seekers, with assessment at the point of need (ie not in the UK) would a) ensure that legitimate asylum seekers would arrive in the UK with the right to work, b) filter economic migrants and asylum seekers into the appropriate visa decision making process, c) remove the need for the majority of people smugglers, d) enable those that do arrive by what would then be an unnecessary route to be either returned (economic migrants who do not meet visa requirements) or swiftly assessed and either granted asylum or returned.

The French have offered several times to establish assessment centres in France. This would, in itself, significantly diminish the number of asylum seekers who are forced to cross the channel to claim asylum. The UK government have thus far refused this. It would appear they prefer the crossings to continue. Some may feel this is for ideological and electioneering reasons.

To be fair, it was reported that a recent meeting between Sunak and Macron focused on assessment in France, but this was not, afaik, mentioned today.

Forsythia

No DaisyAnne that’s not good enough. You provide an answer since you posted after my message. Tell us all, we are waiting. Why is it acceptable for billions of money earned through taxpayers of this country to be spent on migrants who arrive having contributed nothing. Housed in hotels, 3 meals day which they complain about, free to roam around the towns and cities that they’re deposited in, nobody asked for them to be there. Meanwhile, the taxpayers are working supporting this. You might be for it but I am not.

Who do you think you are with your "Not good enough"? That is my choice to make, not yours.

You appear concerned about the billions spent because this motley crew lack management skills. Who said it is acceptable if it doesn't work for the country and those seeking asylum? I certainly didn't. They have wasted money every step of the way. They are not to be trusted with the economy and have spent 12 years proving that true.

It is the government's job to govern. That includes management of all areas run by the said government, not neglect of them. If they can't do it, they should go. Hopefully, they will. I don't think anyone can do worse.

(Just heard unemployment is expected to rise. No surprise there. They are the most incompetent government I have seen.)

And who do you think you are DaisyAnne.you can answer the question so you resort to babbling about other things. Classic Deflection. They are wasting money that’s for sure. Tax payers money being spent on people who arrive here having contributed nothing and are instantly housed, fed, entitled to medical care etc. but you still haven’t provided an alternative to what you think this government should be doing, have you? Just criticism of them and me for asking that question.

Can’t not can. Typo.

Siope

^That’s great. So let’s hear your solution to housing them and supporting them then.^

Safe legal routes for asylum seekers, with assessment at the point of need (ie not in the UK) would a) ensure that legitimate asylum seekers would arrive in the UK with the right to work, b) filter economic migrants and asylum seekers into the appropriate visa decision making process, c) remove the need for the majority of people smugglers, d) enable those that do arrive by what would then be an unnecessary route to be either returned (economic migrants who do not meet visa requirements) or swiftly assessed and either granted asylum or returned.

The French have offered several times to establish assessment centres in France. This would, in itself, significantly diminish the number of asylum seekers who are forced to cross the channel to claim asylum. The UK government have thus far refused this. It would appear they prefer the crossings to continue. Some may feel this is for ideological and electioneering reasons.

To be fair, it was reported that a recent meeting between Sunak and Macron focused on assessment in France, but this was not, afaik, mentioned today.

At last, an answer that spells out clearly a workable solution. Thank you for that.