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

What do you think the numbers would be without the measures available?

AI overview/google

In 2025, Germany, Spain, Italy, and France remain the top destinations for asylum seekers in Europe,

Well said Allira.

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Casdon

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Wyllow3

Its central government funded FGT wherever you live.

This I do know Wyllow.
Until Labour come up with a viable plan, Rachel Reeces’ sums will continue to give her a headache. Imagine factoring all this into her Spring Statement tomorrow!

Were you expecting a magic wand? That’s the only reasonable way that in eight months Labour could have stopped the boats. This a a very complex problem, with very complex solutions, which are being tackled slowly but surely.

I agree Casdon.
I want Labourto do well on this. But let’s face it, they’ve had 14 years in opposition to think about this. Then they cancelled (what in my view was the only viable deterrent ‘Rwanda’ straight away) and I truly believed that the had A Plan.

“Smash the Gangs” is not working.

This a a very complex problem, with very complex solutions, which are being tackled slowly but surely.

It is a complex problem but an increase of 36% does not indicate it is being tackled at all, let alone slowly but surely.

GrannyGravy13

Oops sorry the countries being considered are in the Balkan region.

What do the Balkan countries think of this?

Thank you for clarifying that 🙂.... but these are questions we need to ask, don't we?

Count me out of that - I am not a supporter of Reform.

I'm asking this of Boz, Barleyfields, mum2three, since you seem to think Reform might have an alternative.

So what do you Reform supporters suggest Reform can and will do that will change the situation. I'm fed up of asking this and no one replies.

Bear in mind that even if we change ECHR and decide to deport many more

they still have to have agreement by the receiving country to land a plane there.

Or, their turning the boats back

What will they actually do about it.

Its all very well grumbling about Labour but if these questions cant be answered you still dont get "a solution"

My words were that it needs tackling from multiple angles, across the whole of Europe, which isn’t saying there needs to be a Europe wide consensus. This is the only way the situation will change for any of the countries affected. Otherwise we will just be shovelling snow whilst it’s still snowing.

A Europe wide consensus is very unlikely.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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 🤷‍♀️

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.

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’.

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.

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.

That was sorted out.

Why the hell did they not use the barge?

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

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.

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.

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.