Let’s get real about migration

This country has already changed forever. Something needs to be done about this ridiculous situation although I fear it’s too late.

Let’s get real about migration

That'll never happen on GN 😂

Skydancer

This country has already changed forever. Something needs to be done about this ridiculous situation although I fear it’s too late.

Have you read the article?

Spinnaker

^Let’s get real about migration^

That'll never happen on GN 😂

Not just GN, but unfortunately you're right.

Please see this, I needed to read it as I was fearful for the UK
UK
1. Refugees make up less than 1 percent of the overall population
The UK provides safety to approximately 515,677 refugees (UNHCR) which means refugees make up less than 0.76% of the overall population.
2. People seeking asylum do not have the right to work in the UK
Asylum seekers waiting for their refugee claim/application to be processed are not allowed to work in the UK despite 68% of businesses and 81% of the public being in favour of a policy allowing this. 
People seeking asylum could positively contribute to the economy through consumer spending and paying tax. 
It is estimated that the UK economy could gain £333 million per year if the ban were lifted and we know that 94% of asylum seekers want to work. 

3. Irregular arrivals - including via small boats - make up a tiny number of overall immigration
In the year ending June 2023, people arriving irregularly - including via small boats - made up less than 5% of overall immigration figures. 
And most are refugees fleeing war and crises who had no other way of seeking protection in the UK than to make dangerous journeys.
Read more: 7 reasons people risk their lives to cross the Channel in small boats
4. Most people arriving by small boats are given asylum in the UK
More than 90% of people who have arrived in the UK by boat since 2018 claimed asylum, and most have had their asylum claims granted. Without an asylum visa, people fleeing conflict and crisis cannot pre-emptively apply to claim asylum from their home country. As conflicts continue, people will continue to risk their lives as their only option, hoping to find safety and security in a new country.
Immigration statistics released in February 2024 show that Afghans make up the largest nationality of people crossing the Channel. A country from which 98% of asylum applications are granted.
5. There is no ‘safe route’ to seek asylum in the UK
There is currently no safe way to apply for asylum at all and almost no safe ways to enter the UK to receive protection. That is why the IRC is calling for more safe routes. Providing safe routes for refugees means offering protection and safe ways of reaching the UK so that refugees don’t have to resort to dangerous journeys. Refugee visas, resettlement schemes and family reunion are three pathways to the UK that would qualify as safe routes.

Read more about safe routes here: What are safe routes in the UK? Four common myths explained
here's the source: www.rescue.org/uk/article/facts-about-refugees-key-facts-faqs-and-statistics?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21287962758&gbraid=0AAAAAD3H3WmFXjrYNKA8BB0KIy8MjVptH&gclid=Cj0KCQjww4TGBhCKARIsAFLXndQml5ckYUV0oxS-l22KU80ODzJKgZO8Vhhta5KMVROhlfSwaIgZ9csaAvEGEALw_wcB

Thank you Casdon and Cyperjack. All this is very succinct and informative.

Thank you Casdon. I hope some people will pay less attention to the hysterical demonisation of immigrants - but I fear it will mostly fall on deaf ears.

Thank you cyberjack.

Thanks for the detail. I haven’t seen so much info for a long time.
Using percentages to validate things is always a concern though.
Brexit was won by only 3.78%, and look how damaging that has been.

When you hear about little children being crushed and killed on these small boats you kind of think it is serious and the government should put a stop to it immediately. Or don’t you care , and think it is only a couple of little kids ? It is disgusting in my book.

nanna8

When you hear about little children being crushed and killed on these small boats you kind of think it is serious and the government should put a stop to it immediately. Or don’t you care , and think it is only a couple of little kids ? It is disgusting in my book.

nanna8
How would you suggest our government put a stop to it immediately
Taking the emotion out of the issue the only realistic way would be to use a border patrol force vessel.
Have you any idea how big these vessels are in relation to the inflatables.
As the captain in charge your only option to achieve what you suggest is to force the inflatable to turn around thereby creating a very dangerous situation.
How many children could drown then.
Answers on a postcard would be appreciated by our government.

petra I don't always agree with you, but I do about this issue.

I really object to being called names because I try to be realistic and rational about immigration.

Migration is a fact of life and has been ever since the beginning of time. It can be controlled in various ways, but it's inevitable and (at times) desirable.

I absolutely agree with you petra (and others) that the first step to finding any solutions is to take the emotions out of the issue.

Very interesting to read. The media unfortunately gives people an untrue picture of the situation. However, the cost is very worrying when our economy is under pressure already. Letting people work would reduce cost and add income from taxation but are there enough jobs that UK residence would not be knocked out of the job market?
I listened to an interview with some Afghan women judges who had to flee their homeland and now, as refugees, are unable to work. I am sure there are many able refugees who could usefully contribute to the country if allowed.

nanna8

When you hear about little children being crushed and killed on these small boats you kind of think it is serious and the government should put a stop to it immediately. Or don’t you care , and think it is only a couple of little kids ? It is disgusting in my book.

That's a really strange take on this dreadful tragedy why on earth would you imagine that anyone here would not care about children losing their lives?

This is also very interesting reading, it delves into the job market gaps filled by migrants. If the UK could fill the gaps in key service areas, primarily health and social care, and agriculture, it would be possible to significantly reduce migration.
news.sky.com/story/how-much-does-the-uk-rely-on-legal-migration-13427636

Or don’t you care , and think it is only a couple of little kids

What a horrible assertion!

Mass immigration did not begin post Brexit. Its a post WWII phomenon. I dont ever recall the referendum where I was asked to vote for or against a multi cultural society. My country was changed, without my knowledge or consent. into something I do not recognise.

If you read the original analysis friendlygingercat, you can see that isn’t the case, migration was consistently rising from the end of the 1900s.

friendlygingercat Why do you think you should have been consulted? Cultural shifts have been happening since the beginning of time and will continue in the future.

What in your view defines mass immigration? Over the last century, the British Isles have witnessed nothing like the replacement of Celts by Anglo-Saxons or the power grab by the Normans. The Sussex Weald was flooded with ironworkers from Belgium in the 14th century and Hugenot communities were set up from the 16th century onwards.

How is what is happening now any different from the past? Yet here we all are, having absorbed other cultures and become the great country we live in today.

*Huguenot (typo)

Did anyone see on the excellent ITV series I fought the law the scene in which local people presented Ann with a petition asking her to leave the area because she had an Asian husband? And they had slogans painted on their house? It seems to me that there is always one section of society that some politicians are using to turn people against each other. Jamaicans, Irish, Pakistanis; then recently it was Polish people and now Afghans. Going back a bit further Huguenots…( and from listening to podcasts about 1066 when the French invaded many people in England escaped by boat to Constantinople). Seems to me that what has happened in recent years is that our town centres have become very run down due to lack of investment, roads are full of potholes and road markings need repainting. It all makes it look as if the country is falling apart because of foreigners.

Interesting reading.
I don't do hysteria, and I am well aware of history, but what concerns me is the potential for these numbers to skyrocket. When people start to see action resulting in more controlled immigration, maybe they will calm down. At the moment this appears to be non existent, and that engenders uncertainty and fear.

escaped

Interesting reading.
I don't do hysteria, and I am well aware of history, but what concerns me is the potential for these numbers to skyrocket. When people start to see action resulting in more controlled immigration, maybe they will calm down. At the moment this appears to be non existent, and that engenders uncertainty and fear.

What exactly do you fear about immigration? Maybe if those fears could be discussed rationally, ways could be found to mitigate the fears or to make a more intelligent argument than the ones we now have.

PS. I don't know how you can claim that control of immigration is non-existent. People pay a fortune for visas and the Immigration Health Surcharge. Those without visas are also "controlled" and have a precarious life.