AIBU to think the reason why many Asylum seekers come to UK is...

[SmallBoats]

a direct result of our imperialist past? People come to the UK in many instances because they are English speakers. English is widely spoken due to the massive British empire which used to exist. The British empire milked its territories, greatly increased its wealth despite causing massive human suffering in the process. The direct result of this is that English became a widely spoken language worldwide. It therefore isn't surprising many people seeking refuge from war torn countries try to get to the UK as they already speak English.

Pressure is indeed rising in Turkey, but they are so massively more affected than we are in the UK. That's why threads like this really do wind me up.

Iran is sending refugees back to Afghanistan. So does Pakistan so their numbers will now drop.
That also takes away your moaning comment. Turkish are also not happy, as pps showed.

Rising unhappiness on this is fairly consistent atm

I think it's fairly understandable (as harsh as it sounds) since life got harder for everyone in laat few years, many still haven't recovered from covid and various political issues. Some countries get paid by others to keep their share of refugees as well.

Like mine welcomed Ukrainians, raised ton of money, but after few years people are not as happy because it is tough on them too and everyone thought it will be short term. Moods are changing everywhere and towards everyone.

This infographic shows the world’s 110 million forcibly displaced people (which includes 36 million refugees - aka someone forced to flee across a border).

The key box to look at though is in the bottom left : ‘Solutions’. Resettlement, safe and voluntary return home, etc. We’re short on these.

If the media and all those giving so much time and money to demonising asylum seekers put a fraction of their effort into lobbying the government to invest in peace-building and conflict prevention perhaps it’d make a difference. Investment in being an active and influential leader of the international community, not just naval gazing Britain-first.

Iran is sending refugees back to Afghanistan. So does Pakistan so their numbers will now drop.
That also takes away your moaning comment. Turkish are also not happy, as pps showed
Iran has open their door to over 3.4M. UK has over 230K.

Total population is approx 80M in Iran, 67M in the UK.

A long way to go before the numbers drop to the same level. And yes, the UK does moan a lot about the refugee problem in the country in a very disproportionate and embarrassing way.

And should we mention over 600k refugees in France vs 230k in the UK, similar total population but yeah, the UK is sooo popular to refugees. Not!

run that down all you like but that the future of the UK from the looks of it. The UK can only support so many people.

So the ‘they don’t moan about it’ is missing trends that are pretty obvious

Not just Turkey, but in many countries

I can’t see it receding given direction of numbers

I find it astounding that people think they come for benefits. They act as if immigrants are given JSA and a council house the second they arrive! It's just not true.

The most commonly spoken 2nd language in the World is English. This is why we are so bad, as a Nation, at speaking languages - everyone else learns English but what are we supposed to prioritise? French? Spanish? German? Mandarin? I guess a little bit of everything would be best!

Add to the language that people feel safer here and probably know someone here already and it's clear why they want to come.

We take far fewer than other countries but to hear people speak you'd think were were literally overrun! And to pin issues such as GP & dental appointments on them is utterly laughable.

Unfortunately, misinformation is rife and the Russian bot factories continue to tweet panic inducing bollox that plays on the fears of the (unfortunately) many.

I fear it's going to get a lot worse before it gets better.

I fear it's going to get a lot worse before it gets better.

What is going to get worse before it gets better?

Given the number of people on this thread who are spouting '5 star hotels and cash handouts' its not just the asylum seekers who are being given a good PR run by the smugglers.

Saying that there are plenty of sensationalist articles in papers like the Daily Mail trying to imply that these people are raking it in so the smugglers don't have to look far for back up to their propaganda.

Maybe if we could get our own citizens to stop sprouting these lies it would be a step towards deterring economic migrants.

Yet they don't moan half as much as we do about it.
That's what you said and it was wrong. You can say they have bigger issue hence obviously will "moan" more but you didn't say that🤷

All over the world people moan. Except in countries which basically refuse to accept asylum seekers or accept VERY few.
There are also statements such as Sweden admitting their attempts on integration of immigrants failed (Sweden was often mentioned on MN as the amazingly accepting one) which is taken as cautionary tale by many. Of course people will moan.
UK moans. Everyone is moaning. People will not wait until they have xmillion and then start moaning.
"Stop moaning X and Y have it worse" actually usually have opposite effect than to calm down. Like telling someone to calm down.

Newspapers are not helping with their coverage style, but general public is always consuming what it's given (current popular disasters, current popular outrage/folk devils). It always have, it always will. Otherwise they wouldn't bother printing it.

I find it astounding that people think they come for benefits. They act as if immigrants are given JSA and a council house the second they arrive! It's just not true.

I know that isn't true, but the Asylum Seekers are being told these lies by the people hoping to earn by transporting them. So they do think they will be housed and receive benefits, and are very surprised when they arrive here & find they don't get them.

In 2010 there were 17,916 asylum applications to the U.K.

In 2022 there were 81,130 applications which related to 99,939 individuals (main applicants and their dependents).

I just thought I'd mention it.

My friend volunteers for CAB and she says plenty of people who grew up here are surprised by how low benefits are in this country.

Recent IOM data demonstrates that from January to September 2023, more than 187,000 individuals crossed the Mediterranean in pursuit of a better future and the promise of safety,” Liljert told the Security Council.

In 2010 it was 4450

https://www.frontex.europa.eu/what-we-do/monitoring-and-risk-analysis/migratory-routes/central-mediterranean-route/#:~:text=The%20Central%20Mediterranean%20continued%20to,crossings%20at%20the%20external%20borders.

Posters that focus channel only are missing the obvious trends

We should introduce that here.

🙄 Spot the Mail readers who spout this crap.

I went on holiday to Albania last year and everyone I met said their aim was to move to England. We had a taxi driver who was a policeman by day, taxi driver by night, basically working a 70 hour a week job just for a normal living.

Honestly, if anyone reckons Britannia Hotels are 5 ⭐️, then Travelodge will blow your tiny, xenophobic minds

They come here for the benefits.
Yabu

What a snobbish racist comment

Despite things been difficult in UK right now, it's still an attractive prospect for many people with a chance to earn money and build a life for yourself. Definitely not easy but many people have come here and done it so they may feel they can do same too. Also better laws compared to some European countries, for example now Belgium is not putting migrants in hotels so many are on the street and UK is still tolerant compared to many other countries. It's a complex issue and will only get worse as time goes on. English is usually seen as the international language worldwide so that what makes UK appealing too

Like a British mum who looks after the kids all day then works evenings and weekends?