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Small boat migrants to the UK are 36% UP on this time last year.

(235 Posts)
FriedGreenTomatoes2 Tue 25-Mar-25 09:56:59

“Smash the Gangs”.
Not working, nine months in.

And the weather will be getting even more conducive to such crossings soon. Huge numbers are ‘expected’ this summer.

We have no effective deterrent in place and this whole debacle astounds me. What did Labour THINK would happen when Keir Starmer scrapped Rwanda? Mind you, the government are contemplating setting up ‘migrant hubs’ so they must realise the gravity now of this situation.

Big money is being made here. These international gang masters who facilitate these crossings are not going to give up their very lucrative business!

Back to the drawing board Labour. Come up with SOMETHING. Uk taxpayers money is being squandered in the meantime on housing them and looking after all their needs.

What do you think about it all?

Nano14 Tue 25-Mar-25 13:52:01

Deedaa

Barleyfields We need an effective way of because if they could apply for asylum before they crossed the channel we would not be swamped with asylum seekers who will probably be turned down anyway.

66% of asylum seekers are awarded refugee status.

Wyllow3 Tue 25-Mar-25 13:54:27

I'd also like a system of the opportunity of applying abroad GG13, I'm presuming the practicalities are not easy.

fancythat Tue 25-Mar-25 13:55:00

silverlining48

Do people not know that we have one of the fewest numbers of asylum seekers here, France has nearly 3 x as many and Germany has millions.
As has been pointed out, many times, there is no option for people to apply before they get here, they have to get here first, then they can apply. Hence the boats.

Ok if many people want them or need them or can employ them or integrate them easily or whatever.
Or are genuine fleeing for their lives.

Nano14 Tue 25-Mar-25 13:56:50

silverlining48

Do people not know that we have one of the fewest numbers of asylum seekers here, France has nearly 3 x as many and Germany has millions.
As has been pointed out, many times, there is no option for people to apply before they get here, they have to get here first, then they can apply. Hence the boats.

Well said.

IOMGran Tue 25-Mar-25 13:58:15

glasshalffullagain

It's been a few days since we had " your starter for 10" from FGT.

Ah Well.

How nice those days were, I miss them....

fancythat Tue 25-Mar-25 14:02:46

In the context of UK immigration, "Article 8" refers to the right to respect for private and family life, as outlined in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which can be relevant when an individual is facing deportation or removal from the U

I dont see how. But I am not a lawyer.

Cant see how that stops boats either.

As far as I can see up to now, there needs to be Political will. And that seems scant.

fancythat Tue 25-Mar-25 14:03:59

If they cant apply before they get here, that needs to change as well.

Again, Political will.

fancythat Tue 25-Mar-25 14:04:31

Thousands or millions of other people have to.

Barleyfields Tue 25-Mar-25 16:32:35

I never buy ‘fleeing for their lives’ fancythat. By the time they get to the UK they have passed through several safe countries and are no longer fleeing. And before anyone says it, I know they are not obliged to apply for asylum in the first safe country they reach.

Chocolatelovinggran Tue 25-Mar-25 16:38:29

Sorry ( not sorry) to interrupt fury with facts, but here goes: the Albanian asylum seeker featured in chicken- nugget- gate has not been granted leave to remain. He is awaiting a decision because his case was halted due to a staff shortage. Mr Starmer says that he thinks that this man should be deported.
As with the man - granted - leave - because- of - his - cat story, this is a Daily Telegraph..er..misunderstanding.

Oreo Tue 25-Mar-25 16:43:28

Barleyfields

I never buy ‘fleeing for their lives’ fancythat. By the time they get to the UK they have passed through several safe countries and are no longer fleeing. And before anyone says it, I know they are not obliged to apply for asylum in the first safe country they reach.

I agree completely.Most are economic migrants looking for a better life, I don’t blame them but we can’t go on at this rate.
Far from reducing hotels for asylum seekers, it’s getting worse apparently with even more hotel accommodation being used.
Why the hell did they not use the barge? And buy a few more while they were at it.

Barleyfields Tue 25-Mar-25 16:47:17

I agree, why was the hire of the barge not renewed and a few more acquired? All down to the HR do-gooders, not suitable accommodation. A damn sight better than they’d been used to, I bet.

Churchview Tue 25-Mar-25 16:47:33

Why the hell did they not use the barge?

Wasn't it because there was legionella in the water system?

Barleyfields Tue 25-Mar-25 16:48:30

That was sorted out.

silverlining48 Tue 25-Mar-25 16:53:54

So what is the point of your post Barley. If they followed the first country rule they would all stop in Greece or Italy.
As for not believing ‘fleeing for their lives’ in the case of arrest or war they often do have to flee, just as my then teenage mum had to. Lost everything. Could never return. Maybe that’s why we as a family understand those who had to do the same.

mokryna Tue 25-Mar-25 17:00:57

What I don’t understand is with all the new fast technology money exchanges cannot be traced.
When I an ordinary simple law abiding citizen want to transfer money I am faced with countless questions to answer at the banks concerned.
Stop the movement of money by these people traffickers and the trade will stop.

Barleyfields Tue 25-Mar-25 17:01:03

I haven’t suggested that they follow the (non-existent) ‘first country rule’. I have simply stated that when they reach the first safe country they are no longer ‘fleeing for their lives’.

petra Tue 25-Mar-25 17:17:17

Wyllow3

I'd also like a system of the opportunity of applying abroad GG13, I'm presuming the practicalities are not easy.

It’s very difficult to check out someone’s claim of who they are when they’ve thrown away all their documentation.
Added to that, let’s suppose the applicant is from Sudan where there is every chance that his birth wasn’t registered.
Added to that the tech/ computer system in that country is practically nil.

petra Tue 25-Mar-25 17:26:25

fancythat

silverlining48

Do people not know that we have one of the fewest numbers of asylum seekers here, France has nearly 3 x as many and Germany has millions.
As has been pointed out, many times, there is no option for people to apply before they get here, they have to get here first, then they can apply. Hence the boats.

Ok if many people want them or need them or can employ them or integrate them easily or whatever.
Or are genuine fleeing for their lives.

Fancythat
Would you employ someone that you had absolutely no idea of where he came from, is that his true name, is he wanted for horrendous crimes in whatever country he came from.
Would you 🤷‍♀️

Boz Tue 25-Mar-25 17:31:37

Any way you look at this problem, the news is a boost for Reform and probably the noose that will hang Labour at the next Election.
Starmer can't be relied upon to come down hard (whatever that may be) because of his HR background; and I have nothing but contempt for the Lawyers who make sure their clients milk the system.

Barleyfields Tue 25-Mar-25 17:48:34

You and me both Boz. They are despicable and, through legal aid, we are paying them.

mum2three Tue 25-Mar-25 18:00:44

I presume some of you will remember the first news reports when all these people were allowed to cross into Europe. Some were interviewed and it was obvious that they had been told to come here. Large numbers of people didn't suddenly decide to enter Europe; they were encouraged to do so. I presume the intention was to weaken Europe. It has certainly had that effect and will continue to do so while European leaders are too lily-livered to face up to the problem and really do something about it.
Part of the problem is the 'globalists', who want Europe to be multi-racial. They are too blinkered to see that it won't work.

Kandinsky Tue 25-Mar-25 18:06:55

It will never change, it will just get worse.
This country is becoming a cesspit.
If I was 20 years younger I’d be off to Australia.

Casdon Tue 25-Mar-25 18:36:10

Barleyfields

I agree fancythat. Europe comprises too many countries with differing interests and priorities. We need a solution for the UK. That may of course require liaison and agreement with certain other European countries but an agreement with all of them is unlikely to be achieved, certainly any time soon.

There is no solution that is not Europe wide. If people who want to get to the UK are able to get through other European countries, and operate smuggling gangs from them, how exactly do you think people can be stopped from getting to the UK? Even though so many on here have a very simplistic view and don’t seem to have seen the light yet in that respect, thankfully the government have.

Barleyfields Tue 25-Mar-25 18:43:58

A Europe wide consensus is very unlikely.