to be concerned about Ukranian refugees entering the country in large numbers?

[MaMaLa321]

I think that we have done the right thing, as a country, to allow Ukranian refugees to enter the UK. But does anyone else have concerns about how this will pan out?
For a start, we've spent 2 years in Lockdown, but the vaccination rate for Ukranians (for double vaccination) is only 34%.
What's the effect on our Social Services going to be?
FWIW, we have applied to house a refugee. It's just that I'm worried about the knock-on effects.
Also, will many Ukranians want to come here?

@balalake, I commented upthread that it will likely only be the significantly better off Ukrainians who have the funds to make it all the way across Europe to the UK. Or those with family living over here already.

There may be some families who opt to stay in the UK (if they're allowed to) but it seems that most would likely want to go back, particularly as many of their menfolk have been left behind in Ukraine.

@PineappleStunt Canadians speak English.
Most Ukranians don’t. At least not to professional standards.

Also YANBU OP.
I share the same concerns but it’s not the fault of the refugees. It’s the government!
Like filling a pot with water until it overflows.
I can be worried about the impact of more people + agree with taking them in , and blaming gov, not them. A the same time.

@Breakfastpancakes Given the current situation in Europe, the numbers involved, the utter awfulness of their situation, quite frankly no i don't think (up to) 5m HK Chinese should come to the UK, the law was also changed with no discussion either on how we can absorb these numbers.

No access to public funds doesn't mean no access to schools, social & health care, roads and housing.

TBH i don't think the public have a clue what the Govt have done & we need to have some sort of priority on who we support and who we can not.

So pause the HK inward migration and allow these resources to be re focused on the Ukranians, whose need far out strips others who are basically economic migrants because the student protestors, are in the main not eligible to come here under this new scheme.

Really good interview with China spokesperson (although not sure of title) on Times radio

He talked about why their position as it was, general morning noise made it difficult but the main aim seemed to be avoiding nuclear escalation which I appreciated.

Will see if there’s a re-listen service

Agh wrong thread..

thereisonlyoneofme

I think the Hong Kong people are funding and housing themselves arent they ? I hadnt realised that had actually come to pass as China had been threatening not to allow them to come“

As will most Ukrainian refugees given a little breathing space, those few who don’t want to return home as soon as possible.

They're arriving in small numbers op. We've always welcomed refugees throughout history and coped.

I do fear though that many should be provided with mental health services, they've experienced such appalling things. And the UK's mental health care is on its knees so they're unlikely to get the support they will need.

I don't think most of the HK British passport holders who have come over here are at the stage of being a 'drain' on UK infrastructure. I know a few (including a family member's girlfriend). They generally seem to be young professionals, not yet with families. And they seem to have settled in, assimilated and are earning a good salary!

I think undoubtedly there will be a knock on effect and costs (actually, as we're letting so few in there probably won't). But these people are fleeing war, we've just got to squeeze up.

We've always welcomed refugees throughout history
Not what I've seen. I've seen us putting every barrier we possibly can up to deter them.

@kendodd of course we have. You only need to look at pretty much every area of sport media tv politics business and news to see this.

The mayor of London, Home Secretary, chancellor, education secretary for a start. Millions of people have come to this country on need of a new start and gone on to be successful integrated citizens. We are a country of i migrants

@NewModelArmyMayhem18

I don't think most of the HK British passport holders who have come over here are at the stage of being a 'drain' on UK infrastructure. I know a few (including a family member's girlfriend). They generally seem to be young professionals, not yet with families. And they seem to have settled in, assimilated and are earning a good salary!

I wouldn't use the word 'drain'. But in some areas there has been a big influx. Big strain on schools and housing.

Probably other local services.

But surely such potential influxes should be factored into infrastructure plans? Isn't this part of the problem? That plans are all reactive rather than proactive? A bit like all those schools closed down and sold off when there was a dip in the birthrate, only for LAs to have to build new ones (and buy back others!) a few years down the line when there was a baby boom. I've seen it with my own eyes!

@Kendodd

We've always welcomed refugees throughout history Not what I've seen. I've seen us putting every barrier we possibly can up to deter them.

We have though - admittedly not under the current government, but throughout history we have. Ugandans, Hungarians, Polish - my city has become home to many of these people over the decades as they've fled from war and dictatoship. They were welcomed with open arms and continue to be a key part of the fabric of our community.

@WeDontShutUpAboutBruno

I don't think you should be applying.

This is giving "I'm not racist, I've generously housed a refugee, but..." vibes to me.

I agree!

@NewModelArmyMayhem18

But surely such potential influxes should be factored into infrastructure plans? Isn't this part of the problem? That plans are all reactive rather than proactive? A bit like all those schools closed down and sold off when there was a dip in the birthrate, only for LAs to have to build new ones (and buy back others!) a few years down the line when there was a baby boom. I've seen it with my own eyes!

Yes of course. But sadly I'm not seeing any evidence of forward planning or even a response to the strain in this area.

@Alexandra2001
You are funny, the other day it was 2.5 million HK Chinese allowed to move here, now you are saying 5 million! No where that number have BNO passports. You can get even more angry as the Gov. is considering extending the scheme to the adult children (those protesters) of BNO passports holders. I suggest you educate yourself about the situation in HK, as you seem not to understand the situation there, even for ordinary non protesting citizens. To claim they are economic migrants is ludicrous
I forget the name of that politician, who said around the time of the handover, that we should give the HK Chinese the Isle of Wight and then the rest of the country could retire. Of course a jest, but pointing out how hard working, entrepreneurial and industrious they are.

Assuming any of them settle for a significant duration, they are only replacing all the EU citizens who have left due to Brexit (once again demonstrating what a pointless excersise that was).

@Breakfastpancakes

Not really sure what your point is?

The Home Office’s central estimate is that nearly 300,000 Hong Kongers will take up the new visa route over the next five years, out of a total 5.4 million people potentially eligible to come — 2.9 million British Nationals Overseas (BNOs), 2.3 million of their dependents, and 187,000 18-to-23-year-olds who have at least one BNO parent

My original 2.5m was BNO's the 5m the overall total.... both figures are accurate.... and not difficult for anyone of average intelligence to grasp.

I m not angry at all but do i think the UK can absorb these numbers when many are older and not young & dynamic, with no checks on whether they are a security risk or not.... no i don't, its madness.

Do you think it will impact on NHS waiting lists? schools? there isn't a penny extra for any of this, unlike 10k per Ukrainian refugee, that will be given to councils

Of course unlike EU workers or Ukrainians, zero possibility any will ever return to their country of origin.