The Refugee Ship

The Essex detention centre for 1700 single men is in a very rural area. The population of the villages and small towns in the area is far from cosmopolitan. The men will have buses laid on to the local small towns where presumably they will wander around in groups. Need I go on?
The Essex proposal is subject to an application for judicial review, which I hope succeeds.

Freya5

4allweknow

There was one, may still be there on the Clyde (Glasgow) for 1000 Ukraine refugees. No complaints raised then, why now all of a sudden. Whilst there will be genuine asylum seekers amobgst those to be housed on a boat, there will be many economic migrants purporting to be a refugee. Where else can they be housed? Sure the government would appreciate constructive suggestions. Long term UK residents are finding it hard enough to get suitable housing here. Yes the system can probably be improved but again the volume and the cost of verifying every application has to come from somewhere, the taxpayer. Sorry but if I was a genuine asylum seeker fleeing for my life, I think I'd find a boat moored in safe waters to be a haven.

Yes if it was good enough to house rig workers, it's good enough for ? asylum seekers.

Have you seen the conditions the Royal Navy live in? We watched a programme recently and were shocked. Submariners get even worse. Our neighbour served on a submarine and we heard lots of stories about the conditions.

Iam64

It’s an international problem. We need to speed our assessment process. I can’t support putting vulnerable people seeking refuge into such totally inappropriate ‘accommodation’

I would say it's a problem of the countries these men come from,wouldn't you. It always amazes me ,they leave their home countries to earn easy money, no job to go to, expecting others to house and feed them , so they think, yet millions more stay and work to improve things there. Such as the medic I follow in a African country, working his socks off to improve the health and well being of his local villages. So why aren't the UN demanding better quality of life for people in these mineral, oil rich countries. Better human rights. No easier to knock the West for what they're not doing.

Iam64

Shinamae

Shantygirly

The huge majority are young, fit young men, mostly muslim. We are importing an army. Who hate our way of life. Why are we allowing this invasion to happen? It's madness.

This..

I live in a northern Mill town with a large Muslim population. The majority are of Pakistani origin, though we have Muslims, Sikhs, Hindu’s and more of Indian origin. The started arriving at our invitation in the 50’s to work in our cotton mills. We have had no race riots. The EDL were chased out if town by local people when the arrived to march and cause division.

So far as my experience goes, they’re a mixed bag, like the white/Irish/Welsh/Scottish/polish/ Ukrainian etc of our population.

Islamophobia is alive and well amongst those ‘some posters’

Well lucky you. London, Bristol not so.

Shinamae

Shantygirly

The huge majority are young, fit young men, mostly muslim. We are importing an army. Who hate our way of life. Why are we allowing this invasion to happen? It's madness.

This..

I'm afraid I couldn't pass this by without comment. This is an extremely unpleasant and racist comment. I have worked with Muslim communities from very many different countries and it is absolute rubbish! This is the sort of lie that is peddled by far right extremist groups like the English Defence League, which is a proscribed organisation, designed to spread hatred and fear. I am frankly disgusted that anyone could endorse a comment like this.

Nicenanny3

We are talking about the illegals arriving on the boats not people who have been here for years. We don't know anything about the ones arriving on the dinghies especially if they have destroyed their ID, they could be anyone, have criminal records who knows.

A number of the people you refer to as illegals (there’s no such thing) have spoken about their perilous journey. I’m sorry not to have the name to hand, one is now a doctor in the nhs. Mo Farrah?
No doubt some bad people will be amongst those seeking refuge but, they won’t be the majority, demonising people is wrong

Hetty58, I find that attitude particularly irking from Suella B and Pritti Patel.
Our Imperial history is the reason many people feel strong connection with the UK. This was particularly clear during visits to India.

We are talking about the illegals arriving on the boats not people who have been here for years. We don't know anything about the ones arriving on the dinghies especially if they have destroyed their ID, they could be anyone, have criminal records who knows.

Iam64, exactly. I'm in London - and have neighbours from countries far and wide. There simply is no generalising about the good or bad, worthy or unworthy.

What does amuse me, though, is the frequently expressed desire to 'shut the gates' and stop further immigration - from those who came here themselves in the past!

Shinamae

Shantygirly

The huge majority are young, fit young men, mostly muslim. We are importing an army. Who hate our way of life. Why are we allowing this invasion to happen? It's madness.

This..

I live in a northern Mill town with a large Muslim population. The majority are of Pakistani origin, though we have Muslims, Sikhs, Hindu’s and more of Indian origin. The started arriving at our invitation in the 50’s to work in our cotton mills. We have had no race riots. The EDL were chased out if town by local people when the arrived to march and cause division.

So far as my experience goes, they’re a mixed bag, like the white/Irish/Welsh/Scottish/polish/ Ukrainian etc of our population.

Islamophobia is alive and well amongst those ‘some posters’

Over 300 plus yesterday on 7 dinghies probably more landed undetected and disappear into the surrounding areas or have transport waiting for them.

Shantygirly

The huge majority are young, fit young men, mostly muslim. We are importing an army. Who hate our way of life. Why are we allowing this invasion to happen? It's madness.

This..

Casdon

France is never the first country they get to anyway, so it’s a specious proposal.

Overall, doesn't France accommodate more refugees than the UK anyway - along with Germany and Sweden?

The thinking (by some) appears to be that they make their way here for the benefits (a "cushier" life according to one poster) but a little research will indicate that the benefits in other countries are, give or take, about the same as those they get here - and we are not the most generous.

There must be mixed reasons for wanting to come to the UK - the ability to speak the international language, relatives already here and, for those migrants who intend to 'disappear' - as we don't have ID which most other EU countries do... it's easier to do just that.

I think it's a mistake to believe they're all economic migrants - as much as it is to believe they're all doctors and engineers... I think it's a mixed bag. But figures and stats are hard to come by - and they're often contradictory depending on who's compiling them.

These boats aren’t the Victorian hulks FGS they are large wide barges and have purpose built rooms which sound quite comfortable.They men aren’t detained either but can go ashore.It’s an alternative to paying out a fortune on hotels.

4allweknow

There was one, may still be there on the Clyde (Glasgow) for 1000 Ukraine refugees. No complaints raised then, why now all of a sudden. Whilst there will be genuine asylum seekers amobgst those to be housed on a boat, there will be many economic migrants purporting to be a refugee. Where else can they be housed? Sure the government would appreciate constructive suggestions. Long term UK residents are finding it hard enough to get suitable housing here. Yes the system can probably be improved but again the volume and the cost of verifying every application has to come from somewhere, the taxpayer. Sorry but if I was a genuine asylum seeker fleeing for my life, I think I'd find a boat moored in safe waters to be a haven.

Yes if it was good enough to house rig workers, it's good enough for ? asylum seekers.

The huge majority are young, fit young men, mostly muslim. We are importing an army. Who hate our way of life. Why are we allowing this invasion to happen? It's madness.

France is never the first country they get to anyway, so it’s a specious proposal.

As we are an island, we hide behind the ‘first country they arrive at’ rule.
This is the shoddiest government I have ever known in my lifetime. Personally I’m ashamed of them. Their behaviour and legislation are immoral.

Iam64

I’m unhappy about hotels as well. No pleasing me as I do agree, we need to know who and where asylum seekers are.

Best place for them is the safe country called France which they left for a cosier life here. We cannot afford £6m per day on hotels. I cannot afford 3 meals a day - I get a basic pension - I am tired of hearing about them, they are supposed to stay in the first safe country they get to. Trouble is they are not all fleeing danger. I supported the Ukrainian women, children and elderly males coming here. Those illegal boat people should be returned to France.

Casdon

Callistemon21

Casdon

Glorianny

Migration from England is classed as migration. migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/briefings/the-impact-of-migration-on-uk-population-growth/#:~:text=Official%20figures%20project%20that%20the,

The devil’s in the detail though. It doesn’t surprise me that England has seen large numbers of immigrants wanting to settle, because it’s cities that they want to live in. We don’t have many cities in Wales. According to the Welsh data from the ONS the local authorities here that had the highest rates of population increase since 2011 were in Newport (9.5%), Cardiff (4.7%), and Bridgend (4.5%), all urban areas with good services and access. Declines in population were in the rural and former mining communities where there’s no work. The greatest rates of population decrease since 2011 were in Ceredigion (5.8%), Blaenau Gwent (4.2%) and Gwynedd (3.7%). I’m in an area of outstanding natural beauty, a national park, so it’s not surprising we are seeing lots of incomers, people making lifestyle choices rather than international immigrants.
I’m sure that if you looked in detail at any part of the UK a similar picture would emerge, our own population is on the move constantly as well as international immigration changing the makeup.

One of the reasons for the increase in population in Newport,
SE Wales and possibly Cardiff is the opening of the Second Severn Crossing (The Prince of Wales Bridge) and many people moved over from Bristol because housing is cheaper in Wales. They still work and probably shop in Bristol and surrounding areas, however.

Yes, you’re right. It wasn’t so much the opening of the Bridge, but the removal of the tolls! If I lived in Newport I’d go to Bristol or Cardiff to do my shopping too.

We pop into Spytty occasionally but yes, you're right re shopping.

Oh yes, that's right, removal of those * tolls!!

Callistemon21

Casdon

Glorianny

Migration from England is classed as migration. migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/briefings/the-impact-of-migration-on-uk-population-growth/#:~:text=Official%20figures%20project%20that%20the,

The devil’s in the detail though. It doesn’t surprise me that England has seen large numbers of immigrants wanting to settle, because it’s cities that they want to live in. We don’t have many cities in Wales. According to the Welsh data from the ONS the local authorities here that had the highest rates of population increase since 2011 were in Newport (9.5%), Cardiff (4.7%), and Bridgend (4.5%), all urban areas with good services and access. Declines in population were in the rural and former mining communities where there’s no work. The greatest rates of population decrease since 2011 were in Ceredigion (5.8%), Blaenau Gwent (4.2%) and Gwynedd (3.7%). I’m in an area of outstanding natural beauty, a national park, so it’s not surprising we are seeing lots of incomers, people making lifestyle choices rather than international immigrants.
I’m sure that if you looked in detail at any part of the UK a similar picture would emerge, our own population is on the move constantly as well as international immigration changing the makeup.

One of the reasons for the increase in population in Newport,
SE Wales and possibly Cardiff is the opening of the Second Severn Crossing (The Prince of Wales Bridge) and many people moved over from Bristol because housing is cheaper in Wales. They still work and probably shop in Bristol and surrounding areas, however.

Yes, you’re right. It wasn’t so much the opening of the Bridge, but the removal of the tolls! If I lived in Newport I’d go to Bristol or Cardiff to do my shopping too.

Amongst the very highest number of boat people coming here now are Indians. India is now a wealthy country and even has a space programme yet we give them millions of £££££ in aid!

The Indians coming on boats are definitely economic migrants.

Another 600 arrived on rubber boats today. That is another barge full plus some spare.

Casdon

Glorianny

Migration from England is classed as migration. migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/briefings/the-impact-of-migration-on-uk-population-growth/#:~:text=Official%20figures%20project%20that%20the,

The devil’s in the detail though. It doesn’t surprise me that England has seen large numbers of immigrants wanting to settle, because it’s cities that they want to live in. We don’t have many cities in Wales. According to the Welsh data from the ONS the local authorities here that had the highest rates of population increase since 2011 were in Newport (9.5%), Cardiff (4.7%), and Bridgend (4.5%), all urban areas with good services and access. Declines in population were in the rural and former mining communities where there’s no work. The greatest rates of population decrease since 2011 were in Ceredigion (5.8%), Blaenau Gwent (4.2%) and Gwynedd (3.7%). I’m in an area of outstanding natural beauty, a national park, so it’s not surprising we are seeing lots of incomers, people making lifestyle choices rather than international immigrants.
I’m sure that if you looked in detail at any part of the UK a similar picture would emerge, our own population is on the move constantly as well as international immigration changing the makeup.

One of the reasons for the increase in population in Newport,
SE Wales and possibly Cardiff is the opening of the Second Severn Crossing (The Prince of Wales Bridge) and many people moved over from Bristol because housing is cheaper in Wales. They still work and probably shop in Bristol and surrounding areas, however.

Germanshepherdsmum

The numbers of people dying may roughly equate to the numbers arriving Dickens (I haven’t checked) but babies are being born here all the time so that argument isn’t sustainable.

The UK would be far better able to look after its own people if it didn’t have to accommodate (in every sense of that word) vast numbers of immigrants arriving without permission.

True - and of course, those deaths are largely among the elderly, many of whom are in care homes (the figures came from a government website, but I think they are only up to 2020 or 2021 - haven't seen any for 2022).

I was pointing out that the population isn't static.

As for the UK looking after its own, I'm not convinced that we would, or will, see huge improvements when the arrivals dwindle because the aim of this and Cameron's previous government, has been to cut public expenditure - in all corners. I don't know what Starmer's Labour plans are - he's obviously keeping his powder dry so to speak - but I don't think there will be a profound change in public spending.

I'm quite aware that we cannot accommodate unlimited numbers of immigrants - and not only for economic reasons. The question of integration has to be raised - even tho' some will deem it racist to even mention it, because there are those who have no desire to integrate into our way of life and that can and does cause problems in areas where the are large numbers of immigrants. It's one thing to retain aspects of one's native culture, but quite another when that culture wants to impose itself on its host and make that host adapt.