People in small boats

[EndlessRain1]

With everything that is going on in the UK at the moment, can it really be true that one of the top 5 priorities in the country is to stop "people in small boats"?

I mean, I know a lot of people are against immigration in this form, but in the grand scheme of the shit show this country has been in the last couple of years that is in the top 5 priorities/ actions?

AIBU to think that's insane?

Which services in particular?

NHS in particular

I disagree about the lack of housing not being affected . If they stay won't they eventually be given somewhere to live which is paid for by the tax payer and it puts more pressure on rentals etc

Ho

Absolutely should be a priority, the millions that are being paid in hotel costs, human trafficking is deadly and it needs to be stopped as soon as possible.

I can't believe you're asking me that. Education, GP services, hospitals, housing, state benefits, transport, for a start...

If an asylum seeker is granted asylum then the majority work, contribute to taxes and house themselves as everyone else does. Some might not find work and apply for social housing but won't find themselves automatically at the top of the list by dint of having been granted asylum. None of that is relevant to the political choice not to invest in social housing and affordable rents.

We are a small island that is overpopulated by people who are native. Whilst I sympathise with those felling war torn countries (and not all immigrants are) increasing that population is very dangerous for an economy that is already desperately struggling

Totally agree and it is never ending

Net migration is not huge in the UK and is in line with other similar countries. And of course net migration includes all those who enter the country on visas or otherwise with an existing legal route, as well as asylum seekers. Immigrants as a majority contribute in a net positive to the UK overall, paying taxes and working.

The state of our public services is not down to additional strain from immigrants or just from asylum seekers. It's from years of deliberate political decisions not to invest (money, time and thought) into them.

Many of the migrants coming across the channel are failed asylum claimants from across Europe. They should not be here.

Agree OP. Appalled that people drown crossing, and that must be addressed. But the reason our PM is prioritising this is for the racists who think we're blowing loads of money on the issue "when we should be addressing our own issues".

What percentage is it, @Mamamia7962?

But migrants tend to be lighter users of nhs services on account of tending to be younger. They don’t all qualify for benefits, or nhs services without paying a premium. Many don’t qualify for social housing either.

Do they tend to be high users of education or (public?) transport?

It’s a big dog whistle and I find terms like what Suella said a few months ago about invasion were on leaflets that we had back in the day from the BNP or Britain First far right shite.
Firstly this economy isn’t growing apparently there are millions of vacancies. We need fruit etc picked and we have an untapped labour source.
For those moaning about 7 million a day being spent ask yourself why the tories have cut border force spending to process these claims quicker.
we are very slow compared to other countries some can be waiting for a decision for many years meanwhile they can’t bloody work that’s bloody bonkers.
I say the ones that are in the U.K. give them an amnesty let them work while waiting and let’s get some tax back.
Also do some of you guys know that there is no safe routes which is why when asked by a Tory MP in a video online Suella couldn’t answer.
the only safe routes are for those from Ukraine, Hong Kong and I think at a time Syria Afghan etc but not now.
I think our embassy abroad should allow asylum seekers to claim there and to be processed yes or no then allowed to come as the rules are to claim asylum in the U.K. you have to get your ass in this country.
so tell me how are they meant to ? Without going on boats etc to get their asylum seeking ass here .

Also germany etc won’t take from Albania so if they can do that so can we as they are not asylum seekers. Prob is our gov again has fucked the border force the country has gone to the dogs through years of shite gov decisions

We aren’t “overpopulated” we are underfunded

Rishi is just trying to get votes wherever he can. Apparently he’ll bring in new laws to stop the boats. The traffickers that take the money from vulnerable people won’t care about laws. The people travelling in the boats will be fed a load of bullshit lies to persuade them to part with their money.
The traffickers need to be stopped but chances of catching them are very, very low.

Underfunded - do you mean taxes are too low?

The BBC article said its because its what Conservative MPs' constituents want.

So that makes sense.

Maybe they could hire a big boat and help people over legally?

It’s only on here where people don’t seem to see this as a huge issue, or would like to simplify the process to encourage more to come.

In the real world I would say from my experience when discussing with friends and colleagues (differing ages and backgrounds), this is a massive issue which everyone finds ridiculous both in terms of expense and the lack of any decent plan to deal with it.

This and also they will make the problems with lack of school places/funding, NHS overcrowding and waiting times etc even worse if the issue isn’t prioritised.

Yes it's like a parallel universe

Finally someone talking sense

Well it obviously is going to depend on your friends and colleagues. I can say that my friends, family and colleagues recognise that asylum seekers are not the cause of the issues that you have listed, nor a particularly aggravating factor.

Oh I don't doubt they are real Roses. I just wonder if the narrative the government sell of a people smuggling gang is even remotely like the picture they try to conjure. I just wonder if as many are behind the small boat crossings as they tell us and why this was not utilised as much before if the coast was always an easy target and it is so profitable. I seem to recall when this was a relatively new phenomenon they were mostly people from Iran and were considered to be wealthier if they could afford a boat. Now it seems practically anyone can jump in a boat and anyone can buy one, which makes me wonder if people are just buying their own and don't have a smuggling gang in charge?