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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think this Facebook post re: immigrants is nonsense?

94 replies

Readytomakechanges · 03/11/2015 22:11

A relative has shared a post that basically says: immigrants get £26 per day in Tesco vouchers which is more than our hard working British elderly, that have paid into the system all of their lives, are entitled to. Apparently these vouchers are in addition to housing benefit etc. and they have been seen spending said vouchers on booze.
The post seems like nonsense, and I'd like to challenge it, but would like to have some facts to back up my points and am afraid I don't know any figures on what benefits 'immigrants' are entitled to. Does anyone know this data so I can back up my challenge with facts? And AIBU to think it's nonsense?

OP posts:
ghostyslovesheep · 03/11/2015 22:15

yes it's bullshit

TheSpectreOfMorningtonCrescent · 03/11/2015 22:18

If it were true the fail would be all over that shit. FB + immigrants=bollox. Don't even bother just ignore and block.

ghostyslovesheep · 03/11/2015 22:19

start by asking what they mean by 'immigrant' - asylum seeker, child AS, Migrant, Refugee or EU migrant ...

because benefit entitlements vary

no single person gets £26 a day for food though

Readytomakechanges · 03/11/2015 22:19

I thought so, but if I just call bullshit, it will be answered with "well I knew someone who got this." So I'd like to answer it with some data/links/facts.

OP posts:
TalkinPease · 03/11/2015 22:21

get them to link you to the facts - much simpler

SilentlyScreamingAgain · 03/11/2015 22:28

As little as £5 per day, apparently:

www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/policy_research/the_truth_about_asylum/facts_about_asylum_-_page_1

LeonardoAcropolis · 03/11/2015 22:35

There's a Facebook group called Exposing Britain First, they called bullshit on this a couple of days ago, backed up with facts and links. Worth taking a look and sharing their post.

OhMakeMeOver · 03/11/2015 23:58

I saw that! I asked dp and he said it's bullshit. There is a lot of it going round.

chumbler · 04/11/2015 01:39

Check out Britain fUrst. A great alternative

Unreasonablebetty · 04/11/2015 01:53

I just clicked on the link, I feel awful for them. There are so many people that don't want them here, I hope they keep their opinions to themselves when they find themselves in the presence of an immigrant.

someonestolemynick · 04/11/2015 01:53

I'm an immigrant, lived here for 8 years and just found out the British Government owes me 8 year's worth of vouchers.

bronnie98 · 04/11/2015 19:03

My DP also an immigrant - we also must be owed 1000's pounds in food! Thank god for Britain First helping people like us Wink

bronnie98 · 04/11/2015 19:04

Ps yes it's bullshit.

TheWeeBabySeamus1 · 04/11/2015 19:09

Its actually £35 a week on a pre paid card that can only be used in Tesco, Asda, Morrison, Co-op, Sainsburys, Mothercare and certain Salvation army stores. And thats only if they have an open asylum claim - if the claim fails they are given nothing.

GoneAndDone · 04/11/2015 19:15

I'm an immigrant here. I would prefer Ocado vouchers, thanks, I'm owed about 11 years worth by now... Wink

campogirl · 05/11/2015 08:42

Read this letter to an MP and the response - I suggest that if you see the post on FB that you post this link as a comment :)

martinclarke.blogspot.com.es/2015/10/watch-out-for-facebook-lies.html

Battersea53 · 02/01/2016 16:45

I don't know about food payments to asylum seekers, but I do know that every month they receive pre-paid cards for gas and electricity. In 2011, the amounts given every month to a family were: £120 gas + £90 electricity (£210), but these may have increased by now. There will be minor variations between councils across the UK and every council will deny this arrangement, but it is true.
In addition, asylum seekers whose application is in process have their Council Tax, water rates, rent and TV Licence also paid for; they get all this for free.
As regards cash money, a couple with 2 children receive £178 per week. A few months ago, Govt hoped to reduce this to £147 per week but may have dropped the change.

cardibach · 02/01/2016 16:55

Battersea can I ask where you got those figures from, because this bit every council will deny this arrangement, but it is true makes me suspicious. I really worry about cases where someone maintains they are telling a truth which everyone else denies. Sounds a bit...conspiracy theorist. So could you link somewhere which demonstrates that your figures are true?

TiredButFineODFOJ · 02/01/2016 17:06

When I see these I post that I'm working with homeless refugees at the moment and have not heard about this scheme - please pass me the details

Then sit back and wait for the hilarity.

If you're bored and fancy a fb war, keep replying. I was told that this cam from :-
The council (but not the one near me)
The DHSS (has not existed for over 20 years)
The DSS (again, does not exist)
The job centre (but not the one near me)

That was a fun day. Seems the scheme is so secret, even people posing as a refugee calling up to get on it, can't, because the places giving it out just deny it's existence.

soyvanillalatte · 02/01/2016 17:09

Rubbish. I am an immigrant and have never seen a Tesco voucher.

soyvanillalatte · 02/01/2016 17:10

Oh, I didn't consider back pay...excellent!

treacledan71 · 02/01/2016 17:10

Not sure if above true but this country is mad. I was going to do a post on this but was a bit scared. Myself and dh have one DC. Just on border of getting no tax credits. Found out yesterday that a friend of friend who has 3 kids under 16. On her own. Gets 180.00 a week child tax. 70.00 a week income support (one child under 4) so no pressure to work of DWP at mo) 44.00 a week child benefit. All rent paid on top of this. Low council tax. No school lunches to pay for middle kid. Got all his uniform paid for when went to high school. Can claim all travel and equipment for older son going to college. I heard immigrants entitled to same. Perhaps I am a bit biiter cause we struggle

treacledan71 · 02/01/2016 17:12

Sorry I should have said I do know some people cannot work for various reasons

soyvanillalatte · 02/01/2016 17:13

treacledan I am an immigrant and receive nothing. Not a sausage.

treacledan71 · 02/01/2016 17:17

soy sorry i did not know that. Think there is a lot of confusion in this country what people get thats why causing facebook posts etc. My post was not just really against immigrants just saying seems a lot of money that my friends friends gets