Crossing the channel in boats

[MarshaBradyo]

Listening to radio re terrible situation on the water but also in camps in France

It all sounds very hard

What would you like to see happen?

I just wish they would bring the children (families) over to safety. The thought of those little ones setting out to sea with such risks is terrifying. Also, saw film of the terrible conditions they are living in. They just don't deserve to suffer like this .

@Walkingthedog46

I just wish they would bring the children (families) over to safety. The thought of those little ones setting out to sea with such risks is terrifying. Also, saw film of the terrible conditions they are living in. They just don't deserve to suffer like this .

Yes but if they did, it would attract even more families and so it would go on.

@Malibuismysecrethome

I think we need to look at why the UK is seen as such an attractive option. France is a safe country as are other European countries.

Language... if you have a second language, it's more likely to be English rather than another European one.

The UK is also seen as more tolerant and less racist.

I can see why the UK is a better option, but yes, France is a safe country.

see why the UK is seen* as a better option that should read!

Re Macron

Honestly he’s struck me as a bit petulant before with various comments and the submarine thing but it hasn’t bugged me that much. He’s not leading here so I haven’t given it too much thought

But this - just cancelling

Yes I think he has made a mistake and it will annoy me a lot when people keep dying in the Channel

Moving on as I don’t usually let politicians irk me to that extent

It’s interesting to hear about students reasoning from pp

@Frymetothemoon

I'm just trying to figure out why the UK, when they are already in France. What makes the UK so much more attractive?

You've had a couple of answers. I would still be interested in your backup for your statement In my opinion, it has a lot to do with the fact that there are no ID cards required and that it's therefore much easier in the UK to claim to be someone you're not (and after you've done that for a while get a job and documents).

Interesting about the healthcare argument. I've lived in several countries including France and the UK and healthcare is way better in France.

Also interesting about the racism thing. The UK is the only place my white British parents have been yelled at in the street to "go home" because they were driving a foreign registered car. It's also the only country in which my friends feel the need to tell their kids to only speak English on public transport.

I can understand the language thing but 1. I doubt most of them are fully fluent in English and 2. it's fairly easy to acquire enough of a foreign language to be able to function in society

@IntermittentParps

Because in the EU countries I've lived in, you basically cannot function unless you are properly registered. You can't have a bank account, a phone, a legal job, a car, insurance, proper healthcare, etc.

I just think it would be far more difficult to operate outside the system in these countries than it is in the UK, that's all.

[quote Frymetothemoon]@IntermittentParps

Because in the EU countries I've lived in, you basically cannot function unless you are properly registered. You can't have a bank account, a phone, a legal job, a car, insurance, proper healthcare, etc.

I just think it would be far more difficult to operate outside the system in these countries than it is in the UK, that's all.[/quote]
Right. So do you think many refugees in the UK claim to be someone else to get a job and documents?

I have no idea. I am pointing out that it would seem to be much easier in the UK than in Europe to claim to be someone you're not. I'm not speaking specifically about refugees either. There is frequent mention of ID fraud on here. Also, weren't a number of police officers taken to court for using false identities?

There are many thousands of illegal immigrants in this country working as has been discovered in the past. If they are found they are usually given a slap on the wrist, not sent home.
Sooner or later I fear there will be serious problems in this country as there are too many UK residents here that have nowhere to live, and have languished on council lists for years, are our homeless offered rooms in 4 star hotels and 3 meals a day ? Many of the migrants will possibly have to be homed in private rental properties, at great expense. Many of the single men will probably end up in one of those dreadful crowded properties where there are 20 people living in a 3 bed house. I suppose its better than The Jungle. People are only tolerant if they are not affected by something.

@Frymetothemoon

I have no idea. I am pointing out that it would seem to be much easier in the UK than in Europe to claim to be someone you're not. I'm not speaking specifically about refugees either. There is frequent mention of ID fraud on here. Also, weren't a number of police officers taken to court for using false identities?

I think know where you are coming from..it’s the little differences….

Having been brought up with the NHS post moving to France it certainly took a while to get used to have to present a Carte Vitale whenever you had any interaction with a Doctor, hospital, Pharmacie or lab….

@Frymetothemoon

I have no idea. I am pointing out that it would seem to be much easier in the UK than in Europe to claim to be someone you're not. I'm not speaking specifically about refugees either. There is frequent mention of ID fraud on here. Also, weren't a number of police officers taken to court for using false identities?

Oh, were you not? Sorry but your posts sounded dog-whistly to me.

What seems to be being missed here is that the EU including France chose to have open borders, that is why immigrants are able to travel freely from Greece, Italy and Spain up to France. The didn’t just drop into France!

Why is it our problem then then that the EU allows free movement and these people travelled through it to the coast of France?

Perhaps someone could explain?

Good piece on R4 from camp atm

Sounds very harsh

Cut off all state support for anyone here illegally. Crackdown on black market workers and anyone employing them. Remove all rights to continue or make asylum applications from anyone here illegally & convicted of a criminal offence & deport to country of origin/last known place or origin, better screening of unaccompanied ‘minions’. Stop pretending that Race isn’t an issue in predatory sex crimes cf Rotherham , Hull.

@cloudtree

I think unfortunately whilst the rumours persist that the streets of London are paved with gold, people will always try anything possible to get here. The reality is they would probably be better off staying in numerous other European countries that they reach first.

That isn't why people come here. Instead of spouting this nonsense, why don't you do some research?

@Appledrop

I'm actually shocked at the amount of migrants that have crossed this year so far, assuming I am reading it properly, 25,000, thats the equivalent size of a small town. A town that will use the NHS, benefits, schools, housing etc. I really wish France and other countries would jump in to help more, I mean the UK is half the size of these other countries. As an aside the people who are making money off these poor people should be jailed for life, totally disgusting using them for their own financial advantage.

France and Germany accept many more refugees than this country does. They do plenty.

@Frymetothemoon

I'm just trying to figure out why the UK, when they are already in France. What makes the UK so much more attractive?

If your family was seperated by war would you happliy settle in one country knowing that your family was in another? Or would you move heaven and earth (or jump in a dingy) to get to them? The UK no longer allows family reunification routes. They have no choice but to make the crossing.

So everyone crossing is because family is already in the UK?

[quote Frymetothemoon]@IntermittentParps

Because in the EU countries I've lived in, you basically cannot function unless you are properly registered. You can't have a bank account, a phone, a legal job, a car, insurance, proper healthcare, etc.

I just think it would be far more difficult to operate outside the system in these countries than it is in the UK, that's all.[/quote]
They need to tightened these rules and do the same then to stop the Uk being a 'soft' option. There must be a reason why they risk their lives to cross the channel when they are already in a safe journey. It is getting out of hand.

I expect some of their families are already here, yes, so that's a big pull. But - not all of them will be. Why the Uk?

@Walkingthedog46

I just wish they would bring the children (families) over to safety. The thought of those little ones setting out to sea with such risks is terrifying. Also, saw film of the terrible conditions they are living in. They just don't deserve to suffer like this .

But they are choosing this! They could stop in one of the safe European counties they are in and have a good life there. It is unnecessary to take the extra risk to get here. What makes them do that?

I'm actually shocked at the amount of migrants that have crossed this year so far, assuming I am reading it properly, 25,000, thats the equivalent size of a small town. A town that will use the NHS, benefits, schools, housing etc.
I really wish France and other countries would jump in to help more, I mean the UK is half the size of these other countries.

France and Germany have taken in approx 300,000 between them. How much more do you expect them to do to ease the UKs burden of 25,000?

One reason that migrants may prefer the UK to other European countries is the lack of ID cards. You can live in the UK because you never need to prove your identity.

Personal freedom comes at a price.