Sarnia
It's depressing reading, right enough.
The problem we have is that whoever is in charge, nobody has the backbone to do anything. They are all experts on waffle but hopeless on action so we are in the state we are in.
These illegal migrants are a drain on our small island. We need to take a look at Australia. Anyone expecting to sneak in there illegally is turned around pretty smartish and sent back to where they came from, often on the next available flight and ignore the calls of Racist!
But here! Ushered into comfy hotels, given phones, food and anything else they need and all with very little prospect of being sent back.
I fear for my grandchildren's lives in the UK. I really do.
Do the media numbers differentiate between -
1) newly arrived immigrants,
2) immigrants who have been here for years but never made themselves known to the authorities (therefore illegal and not getting any official support at all ),
3) those claiming asylum (therefore applying to be legal and getting basic support while their claims are investigated),
4) those accepted for asylum (therefore legal and able to work and pay taxes so not getting any support) and
5) those not accepted for asylum (therefore not legal and not getting support, but known to the authorities and expected to leave)
If they sneaked in and are "keeping under the radar" and there are no figures for them arriving here, how can someone "estimate" with any accuracy what the numbers are? They won't be going around with a placard saying "I am here illegally!"
They are supposed to register a claim for asylum as soon as they can, and no later than 1 year after they arrive. Once they make the claim, their presence is NOT illegal by international law, but their reasons for desiring asylum are investigated and judged.
As asylum seekers, while their claim is being investigated they get the minimum needed to feed them, £49.18 for each person in the household to pay for things like food, clothing and toiletries. The allowance is loaded onto a debit card (ASPEN card) each week and they use the card to get cash from a cash machine. Not exactly luxury living. They won't be in a luxury hotel, either. "Asylum seekers are offered basic housing on a no-choice basis anywhere in the UK and some money to pay for food. This accommodation can be in hotels or army barracks as well as in normal housing" and some of it is pretty awful. They can't work, or claim benefits.
"Support will be withdrawn if a person receives a negative decision on their asylum claim. They will be given notice that they have 21 days until their asylum support is terminated, and will receive a “Notice to Quit” at least 7 days before they are due to be evicted."
If their asylum claim is accepted, their financial support ends and they can find work, pay taxes and apply for benefits if they need them. They have 28 days to find new accommodation before they are evicted (from December 4th this is being extended to 56 for a trial period until June 2025) Then they have to quit the accommodation and find - and furnish and pay for - their own.
