To be shocked at the net migration figures currently being discussed

[Feelingathomenow]

Yesterday’s figures discussed by the Tories stated that since 2010 the net migration figures to the UK has equalled the size of the population of Wales. Today we were told the figures to June 2023 showed a net migration figure of nearly 1 million for that year, for the year to June 2024 this had reduced to a mere 3/4 of a million. The numbers coming in of the boats per year alone is equal to a large town. AIBU to think this has to stop. We need to immediately crack down on people allowed into this country- limit it to urgently needed highly skilled jobs and start offshore processing (or similar) of the people who are here illegally (basically like many other countries).

We just can’t cope with those numbers. - no wonder our infrastructure is collapsing, we have a housing crisis etc.

I want to hear from the government how they are going to tackle it. We have heard from the Tories now it is over to Starmer.

Germany, Netherlands, most Nordic countries, to mention a few, have free or very heavily subsided university education for their citizens and even foreign nationals.

Most of these countries , e.g. Germany, have had to tighten their student visa process to guard against nationals from certain countries that were flocking there to take advantage of the free tuition as a back door migration route.

I agree that skin colour is an obvious 'difference' that gets picked up on.

As I said previously, UK is historically, and actually a country where the majority (80% according to the government) of the populace are 'white', (that encompasses a variety of skin tones, as does non-white, there's an overlap in reality).
It's not racist to postulate that noticeably non- white people have some immigrant ancestry, many people are proud of that fact.

If you were in an African country with a majority black populace and you saw a 'white' face you might assume they were foreign or the descendant of immigrants.

Some have been refused asylum in other EU countries and flee to the UK to escape deportation and because they believe that their chances of being granted refugee status will be better.

As matter of public policy, this country has decided that we should try to make sure that your ability to achieve a university education isn't impacted by how much money you/your family has. It's an expensive ideal, which is why in England university is no longer completely free.
Sure the government could stop 'propping up the sector' and make universities have to stand entirely on their own two feet. That's fantastic for wealthy children and would get brilliant for my kids - we can afford to pay 50k a year if needs be (I've been saving since the kids were born because there's been a real likelihood we would have to pay international fees) - and it will be much easier for my kids to get into top universities. But it's not so great for anyone who can't afford that much money and education only for the rich really isn't UK culture.

Some have been refused asylum in other EU countries and flee to the UK to escape deportation and because they believe that their chances of being granted refugee status will be better.

No wonder, the UK acceptance rate for asylum claims is three times higher than that of France.

The government has said fees will increase next year apparently.

Because if they have learnt anything of a second language, it is likely English. The ones who have learnt some French tend to stay there.

Because many are from Commonwealth countries or former parts of the British Empire and grew up with a vision of this green and pleasant land, the notion of British fair play etc. At this point, a significant number will have family or friends here and that is a great pull.

Australia is tougher than nearly all countries still within the convention

The policy is called Operation Sovereign Borders and has the support of both major parties in Canberra.

But Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told local media that his government remains committed to securing Australia’s maritime borders.
“Operation Sovereign Borders is in place. If you arrive here by boat, you will not be settled here,” he said.
The number of boat arrivals in Australia has been relatively small in recent years. Local media report that 199 migrants arrived on seven boats in 2022 and 74 people on four boats in 2023.

It used to be thousands, prior to this now bipartisan policy.

We won't get to the same here as people are more invested in keeping the people smuggling approach and any discussion on similar gets backlash.

However no one will touch this now in Aus. It's seen as a basic for a country - we can't talk about borders without getting in a wrangle

The EU will keep pushing in elections to the right on the same issue

We are oddly resigned to enabling vast profiting and crime from people smuggling

Eventually politics will shift enough and maybe Aus style deals or the breakdown of the convention

Could be sooner than you think at this rate.

People come here because it's easy to get lost in the system. Go to places like Southall and you'll see 12-15 men living in one house, all here illegally.
They work cash in hand. Some have been living here illegal for 20 plus years.

Yes, the skilled, working people we'd actually need

Years in hotels? Someone's making lots of money out of this aren't they....must buy some shares in hospitality.

Overpopulation causes war, famine, death, illness, and climate change. Easier to fix too. Emancipation and education of women tends to lower birth rates.

I don’t think we are resigned. Our situation is different. We are trying to make our way in the post-Brexit world that we caused.

But it still is 'only for the rich'.
Sensible kids not subsidised by parents will not want to accrue tens of thousands of pounds in debt before even entering the job market.

I don’t think we are resigned.

But apart from 'sharing concern over smugglers' it's not something that you'd change the system over?

Or can you see those vast profits, criminality and increasing numbers will become more and more unsustainable?

Other countries are moving faster than we are. And now even the French have criticised our soft approach. They could easily change the landscape by voting for different surveillance, they too hold power in this.

Even if some use the narrative that it's a tiny number and we should allow it other countries will act, which will make it harder here

Theres a huge difference between ex-pats and net-taker migrants. Do you need me to spell out for you what that is?

Lower social class groups represent 28 per cent of the total entrants to full-time undergraduate study, a lower share than their 39 per cent in the UK population as a whole.

Report summary: Social Class and Higher Education - issues affecting decisions on participation by lower social class groups

So yes they go at lower rates than middle and higher classes - but many still go.

It's still a ladder to better paying jobs though the cost barrier is real.

wouldn’t you pick any safe haven if you were genuinely at risk of persecution or fleeing war?

Would you really be in a position to decide which European country you wanted to reside in? It’s odd that people at such great risk would want to further endanger their lives by crossing the channel on a small boat or in the back of a lorry instead of just residing safely in a country where you might not speak the language as well.

No - it’s racism pure and simple. Ex pats are what white British people who go to live elsewhere call themselves and migrants are what they call people who come to the UK who aren’t white. I’m asking so people might do some critical thinking around it, not much hope I know!

I think quite a lot has changed in the last ten years sadly.
What happened in Cologne was shocking, and I was reading the other day how sexual assaults against women on public transport in Berlin have increased by 260% in the last ten years.

It's only a ladder to better paying jobs if you choose the right degree. In my field everyone has at least one degree, often several. It is not a well paid job, but we were classed as essential workers during COVID.

This. And there is nothing to say that training our own workers is not going to be best in the future.

I wouldn't risk death and drowning at sea just to go to a country that's slightly more comfortable and appealing to me

I addressed this point above as did PP. The journey to Europe is so fraught with life threatening danger that the extra bit to the UK may seem worth it for the perceived advantages