To think, without upsetting anybody, we are massively overpopulated on this tiny Island??? What sensible non punitive solutions are there??

[PasstheBucket89]

Its pretty relevant with all the talk about migrant boats, priti patel saying she will make the passage unviable etc she has done some awful things, it makes my blood run cold tbh i doubt she cares about the safety of them in that boats. But, what di we do, and when suggestions are made its often motivated by hate not quality of life issues. And yes, the ageing massively adds to the overpopulation aswell, but what should we do? reasonably? this tiny Island is massively overpopulated, it doesn't benefit anyone to be crammed in like sardines like this, massively effects access to housing, healthcare, education etc, What should the gov do, not adding to the hostile environment??.

Edit - post above was meant to say

The UK may be one of the most nature-depleted and overpopulated countries in the World but it's England that has the issues. Scotland (and maybe Wales and Northern Ireland) certainly aren't.

A declining population and declining workforce will mean serious poverty in old age for the majority of posters on this forum.

Pension spending is the biggest single component of the welfare budget in the UK. There are 2.7 million more over 65s living in the UK than there were in 1998 and this number will increase significantly in the coming decade.

I do think the UK is overpopulated. I lived abroad for a while and realized just how busy everything is in the UK, how big the cities are. I’m not sure I can even put my finger on why I think it is better to have less people, it’s just having lived it, it is so much simpler and calmer. Seems to be less of a ‘fight’ to get anywhere, roads clearer, less pollution, more nice houses with bigger gardens...

The world is overpopulated and as a rich nation we just keep on taking. "Closing the borders" is a short sighted view on the problems we are facing. People often talk of the oil peak but fail to realise that all resources are not infinite. The peak of food production is on its way and then what do we do?

The immigrants crossing the channel are unlikely to be anywhere near as economically active as the EU workers that we rely upon. Relying upon asylum seekers for a qualified resource pool is not really going to cut it.

Will the number of over 65s really keep increasing? Life expectancy is stagnating. Quality of life and standard of living is falling.

There might be 2.7 million more over 65s today than there were in 1998 but the population has also increased by about 10 million through immigration since 1998. Most immigrants are young and healthy so presumably working. Isn't that solving the problem via their income tax contributions?

@corythatwas

I have admit I don’t really understand why they do it. Understandable when they are true refugees, there are usually closer ‘safe’ places so I don’t understand the danger they risk trying to get here. Is it that appealing here?

The first safe places most refugees come to are tiny places, like Greek islands, or small and poor countries like Lebanon. They already take the vast majority of refugees.

Do we really think it is fair that all the refugees from Syria and Afghanistan should be crowded together somewhere like Samos which is not much larger than the Isle of Wight?

And if we accept that people have to move on from the nearest country, then there is absolutely no reason why e.g. France or Germany should be under a greater obligation to take refugees than the UK. France won't have been the first safe country any more than the UK is.

I quite agree with your fist point regarding all countries taking their fair share of asylum seekers.

However, that’s not really for them to decide where they would prefer to go. The countries between themselves should decide who takes them etc...

Goes back to the point, why rush your life in a boat to cross the channel when they could stay in France safely, until it was agreed where they could go.

Risk

@Eng123

I'm shocked that people think that Brexit will reduce immigration. Under the Dublin III agreement someone seeking asylum can be returned to the first EU country they entered. After Brexit that agreement ceases unless the EU wang to extend. Well done numpty Brexiteers!

They’ll just have a stronger border force so they can’t get anywhere near British shores after Brexit

@biglouis

These people are being housed in 4 star hotels, being set up with health care packages and spending money. In the meantime there are British born people who have paid their taxes using food banks. Something wrong here.

I would follow the Australian system. Establish detention camps on the coldest and most remote Scottish islands and dump the boat people there. Drop them some basic supplies by air and let them fight it out. A Scottish winter under canvas should sort them out and deter any more of them.

There’s so much misinformation here that it’s actually laughable.

Housed in a 4* hotel - Not to my knowledge, but even if “they” were, a family in one small room with a bathroom? Doesn’t sound particularly luxurious.

Health package - is you have any evidence of this? Basic medical care, yes.

Spending money - £37 a week. What are you going to spend that on after you’ve bought food?

The rest of your comments are just a Nigel Farage parody account. I know I’m not going to change your mind, but it’s important for others reading this to know your comments don’t reflect the reality.

We aren't overpopulated per se. But we do need equality between residents (to distribute resources equally) and to change our lifestyles and consumption so they are sustainable.

@TableFlowerss
UK border force will not be strengthened through Brexit. As an EU member we had a level of cooperation between countries that helped control illegal crossing. Again that ends with the transition period unless the EU extend. Brexit will worsen this issue and those that suffer most will be the immigrants being further exploited by smugglers. Another Brexit payout!

They’ll just have a stronger border force so they can’t get anywhere near British shores after Brexit

I fear that anyone who believes that is doomed to serious disappointment.

Every “solution” will cause controversy

We’re not overpopulated. We don’t have a generous benefits system either! Compared to many countries.

People come here because they have family or friends here and/or they speak English but not French/Spanish etc.

If you had a good job behind war broke out in the U.K., wouldn’t you go to a country where you could speak English, do your job well and be where family are?

Before! Not behind

And it’s true UK borders don’t be strengthened by brexit.

We’re already asking France to take control of our borders. Let’s see how they feel about that next year

Scotland is empty.

A couple of reasons why refugees try to come to the UK

1. Language- English is the most common second language and so people coming to the UK have a better chance of being understood and understanding what they are told.

1. A tolerant multi cultural society - Ok this might be mainly in bigger cities but you can find people from your nation already settled.

Make it easier to come to the UK and the people traffickers suddenly find they have no customers. Stops the process pretty quickly.

@Durgasarrow

Scotland is empty.

Have you been to the central belt? Tried to drive on the M8 at rush hour? Scotland is most definitely not empty.

"Closing the borders" is a short sighted view on the problems we are facing.

I agree.

I would love to see all borders open, worldwide. I’d sell up and leave the U.K. in a jiffy.
That should create a bit more space for future illegal immigrants coming to the U.K.

So therefore one solution is encouraging British born citizens to leave and then you don’t have to worry about numbers.

The type of housing that many people expect and want for themselves is too much. You see it on here all the time. People expect as normal a bedroom each for their children, utility room, playroom, several bathrooms/ loos. It takes up too much space. Yet others live in vastly overcrowded spaces, while families in studio flats or one-bed flats. Another example of the wealth divide.

@Eng123

I'm shocked that people think that Brexit will reduce immigration. Under the Dublin III agreement someone seeking asylum can be returned to the first EU country they entered. After Brexit that agreement ceases unless the EU wang to extend. Well done numpty Brexiteers!

I think it's astonishing that so few people realise this.

Wish something would take out all the visitors waddling around my town strewing fucking fast food wrappers cans and shitty nappies every where

Oh yes, hopefully they will get that virus thats apparently going around, which they seem completely unaware of.