Why is the public directing their anger at the individual asylum seeker that arrives at the shore…

It’s hard to find any definitive figures on how much is spent on interpretation services because different services keep their own records, but good old Google seems to indicate around £100mn a year between the NHS, policing, and DWP. That’s only the direct cost, it doesn’t count the indirect cost such as appointments taking longer due to three-way conversations.

You’re referring to migrants, but this thread is specifically discussing asylum seekers, who are supported from public funds as soon as they arrive. Once their claim is processed and if they are accepted as a refugee or given other humanitarian protection, they have the same access to public funds as any other citizen.

Refugees are less likely to work and if they do it’s more likely to be in low paid jobs, so are a net-drain on the economy. There are some exceptions, as there are in everything, and some will be highly skilled and highly paid and net contributors, but for the majority, that’s not the case.

Didn't I already mention the woman at the GP who struggled with the receptionist because she just couldn't speak English

I may have missed it, but I haven’t seen anybody suggesting that immigrants should speak the language of their host nation all the time, in private and with friends or relatives; only that they learn to do so to communicate with people in the host nation, in public, medical, education settings etc. We spend an eye watering amount on interpretation services, far beyond the time when it would be reasonable to expect an adult to have a fair grasp of the language. IIRC the government was looking to cap the length of time that interpreters can be funded for, but not sure whether that ever happened.

Retired British people who decide to settle overseas, for whatever reason, are not entering those countries via subterfuge. They come with return tickets and money to buy or rent property, and are required to have a minimum income (generally at least equivalent to local minimum wage) plus funding their own healthcare. It's possible to cope without more than a smattering of the language -- until you develop complex health problems.

We have both been migrants before, in our 20s and 30s, one in the US, via a first marriage, and t'other in the Middle East for work/travel/adventure, and were planning to retire in Portugal on a D7 visa. I am good at languages, but we have decided against moving since DH has twice been blue-lighted to hospital.

Where did he say that? I was born in the UK, and hold a UK passport. Other than a couple of spells of mat leave, I’ve worked all my life, and not claimed state support even when “entitled” to, because we had enough money (I know, what a mug!). Where did Farage say he wanted to deport me?

So 62% don’t speak English well if it’s their second language?

Which is great and I’d always encourage people to learn the language of where they are living, but it’s also true that not everyone can do that. Learning a language requires a certain level of intellect. It also requires a chance to practise to be any good at it.

The last census showed that 90% of immigrants speak English well or very well, 52% speak it as their main language and 38% speaking it well despite it not being their main language. That’s pretty good imo.

Migrants to the U.K. have no recourse to public funds until they are granted indefinite leave to remain. That means 5 years here on a qualifying visa at least. You also have to
meet other criteria like language tests.

If I moved to any country I'd spend time learning how to speak the language there.

That’s very specific.

If I moved to Spain every day I'd spend 1 hour learning Spanish

I would think that if people are buying a place in Spain they have money and the means to support themselves. And when they get older they have to head back to the UK for support.

. Never heard anyone defend the Brits in Benidorm before! But I guess most are coming from a relatively wealthy nation and support themselves, so that's a positive.

Also, afaik if they need interpreters for legal or medical reasons they have to pay for them and the tax payer doesn’t pick up the tab.

That’s fair enough, but my view is that you should learn the language of the country you live in, but don’t have to speak it in your own community or with fellow speakers of your home language.

I’d learn French if I moved there, but I’d speak to my family and other English speakers in English. Why would I speak French to my English speaking partner? 😂

Answer - exactly the same reason some people are rude to shop staff. We can't take out the abysmal service on the CEO who earns £4m per year and wouldn't meet one of his own regional managers let alone the public, because he is in head office in London laughing his head off.

I guess fewer Brits would worry about immigrants here if they were being supported by benefits from their home country.

Retired Brits living in Spain are generally seen as contributors to that economy. You have to have worked for at least a year in Spain to be able to claim unemployment support, and must be looking for a job and not turn one down if you're offered. It's harder for immigrants to access benefits in most European countries, and France sites this as one of the pull factors of the UK for the current increasing wave of irregular migrants.

Funny, most left-of-centre people on here seem to use UK pensioners in Spain as a gotcha when anyone suggests that migrants to the UK should learn English. Never heard anyone defend the Brits in Benidorm before! But I guess most are coming from a relatively wealthy nation and support themselves, so that's a positive.

There has, however, been a significant backlash from some Spanish citizens to British tourists and immigrants in recent years.

My personal opinion, fwiw, is that you should learn the language and integrate if you plan to live somewhere for permanently, or for a significant amount of time.

Do you mean Lucy Connolly?

I hope not, because she literally posted about setting human beings on fire.

Didn’t get long enough in my opinion, should have left her there.

Oh, I have absolutely nothing against refugees and asylum seekers. The point is, this guy very clearly isn't either.

Is there no end to the ‘reasons’ asylum seekers shouldn’t come here - well not just asylum seekers now is it.
PE - RE - many people here for the 1000s of years that are deemed acceptable have reasons to not want their kids in classes.
Also if you’re so worried that Muslim girls are missing out on equality wouldn’t it be kinder to want them to stay to show them good ole U.K. equality 🤔
The attempts to avoid real reasons are hmm interesting though remain disappointing.

Oh indeed
Harold Shipman - your average GP
Jimmy Savile - your average tv host
Beverley Allitt - your average nurse
Peter Sutcliffe - your average lorry driver

Be careful not to say anything mean about him online. You will get 2.5 years inside.

The migrant accused of the sexual assault of a 14 year old girl has been convicted and jailed today. His lawyer says he hopes to be deported to his home country as soon as possible. That's your desperate person fleeing persecution.

I remember back in primary the Muslim parents wouldn't let their DC socialise with non Muslims outside of school.