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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Hotels emptying

725 replies

cornflakecrunchie · 26/02/2026 17:41

..of asylum seekers..
On the news. Are we supposed to be impressed? They are just being shuffled elsewhere, aren't they?

OP posts:
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18
Happyjoe · 27/02/2026 12:25

suburburban · 27/02/2026 12:23

I’m not against people seeking asylum but definitely not happy with the amount of economic migrants who have been allowed to come to the UK plus the corruption with the student visas and people being here who shouldn’t.

Again, all of this is controlled by government. It's up to them to crack down on rules and regulations.

EarthlyNightshade · 27/02/2026 12:25

Ninjasan · 27/02/2026 11:15

You could fit a few. Bunk beds? You are happy for them to live next to other people houses...

Would you like British homeless people to stay on the streets?

suburburban · 27/02/2026 12:26

Happyjoe · 27/02/2026 12:25

Again, all of this is controlled by government. It's up to them to crack down on rules and regulations.

Yes I really wish they would

Gingerbeersallround · 27/02/2026 12:27

Happyjoe · 27/02/2026 12:19

Stealing always goes up in times of poverty, like other crimes.

To be fair, the cost of living and the lack of jobs has contributed to more people pushed into poverty as well as worsening conditions for those already struggling. This is real and it was a fairly hefty rise in everything and fast for us all.

'Get a job' is ideal, but a single mother of a baby on formula without any family help will not be able to work because of child care. Not everyone is fortunate to have a lovely family who are in a position to help them, poverty tends to run in families.

Edited

Out of my options, the one that stands out is benefits. Why would a mother not use that for essential milk?

mollypuss1 · 27/02/2026 12:28

Gingerbeersallround · 27/02/2026 12:12

Do low life thieves not steal from corner shops? This has a huge impact on small businesses and their ability to hire staff.

All shops are businesses and they are not responsible for lifestyle choices of customers.

Mother stealing milk:-

Partner- can't they help out
Benefits- if in poverty she would get UC. That covers milk?
Get ANY job - that's what people do if they need money.
Long term plan - contraception is available. What was the original financial plan when becoming pregnant
Friends or family - does she not know anyone.
Cashflow - use a credit card
Sell something

Are you saying she couldn't take up any of these options? If so, she isn't a fit mother and I feel sorry for the child.

This is getting ridiculous. My point was that not all crimes are perpetrated by a ‘low life’ as a previous poster claimed and that there are many reasons behind why someone may turn to crime. There is little point trying to converse with people in here who are so bigoted and narrow minded that they refuse to accept anything other than that which they have been spoon fed by the media.

To answer your question about the made up ‘criminal’ mother;

Partner- can't they help out - HE’S DEAD
Benefits- if in poverty she would get UC. That covers milk? - NOPE, SHE JUST HAS ENOUGH TO PAY FOR HEATING
Get ANY job - that's what people do if they need money. - NO AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE
Long term plan - contraception is available. What was the original financial plan when becoming pregnant - HINDSIGHT IS WONDERFUL BUT SADLY DOESN'T FEED A CHILD ALREADY HERE
Friends or family - does she not know anyone. NOPE, NO ONE WILLING
Cashflow - use a credit card CREDIT SCORE IS FUCKED
Sell something ALREADY DID. SHE HAS NOTHING LEFT OF WORTH

The only thing your post shows is that only do you know nothing about immigration and the causes of crime you also know nothing about REAL poverty.

BillieWiper · 27/02/2026 12:28

Asylum seekers are entitled to stay here til their claim is decided. Shuffling them from one place to another in the hope they never come into contact with any 'British' people who will instantly blame them for the entire demise of society. Not great really but here we are.

Gingerbeersallround · 27/02/2026 12:31

mollypuss1 · 27/02/2026 12:28

This is getting ridiculous. My point was that not all crimes are perpetrated by a ‘low life’ as a previous poster claimed and that there are many reasons behind why someone may turn to crime. There is little point trying to converse with people in here who are so bigoted and narrow minded that they refuse to accept anything other than that which they have been spoon fed by the media.

To answer your question about the made up ‘criminal’ mother;

Partner- can't they help out - HE’S DEAD
Benefits- if in poverty she would get UC. That covers milk? - NOPE, SHE JUST HAS ENOUGH TO PAY FOR HEATING
Get ANY job - that's what people do if they need money. - NO AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE
Long term plan - contraception is available. What was the original financial plan when becoming pregnant - HINDSIGHT IS WONDERFUL BUT SADLY DOESN'T FEED A CHILD ALREADY HERE
Friends or family - does she not know anyone. NOPE, NO ONE WILLING
Cashflow - use a credit card CREDIT SCORE IS FUCKED
Sell something ALREADY DID. SHE HAS NOTHING LEFT OF WORTH

The only thing your post shows is that only do you know nothing about immigration and the causes of crime you also know nothing about REAL poverty.

Sad to say your fictional character is not fit to be a mother. I hope the child is fostered and looked after properly whilst the mother adresses her issues.

mollypuss1 · 27/02/2026 12:34

Gingerbeersallround · 27/02/2026 12:31

Sad to say your fictional character is not fit to be a mother. I hope the child is fostered and looked after properly whilst the mother adresses her issues.

My fictional character is not fit to be a mother because her husband died which led to her falling into a spiral of poverty?

You really have no idea how some people end up in really shitty situations through no fault of their own, which also explains your stance on immigration.

Tricket · 27/02/2026 12:35

mollypuss1 · 27/02/2026 12:28

This is getting ridiculous. My point was that not all crimes are perpetrated by a ‘low life’ as a previous poster claimed and that there are many reasons behind why someone may turn to crime. There is little point trying to converse with people in here who are so bigoted and narrow minded that they refuse to accept anything other than that which they have been spoon fed by the media.

To answer your question about the made up ‘criminal’ mother;

Partner- can't they help out - HE’S DEAD
Benefits- if in poverty she would get UC. That covers milk? - NOPE, SHE JUST HAS ENOUGH TO PAY FOR HEATING
Get ANY job - that's what people do if they need money. - NO AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE
Long term plan - contraception is available. What was the original financial plan when becoming pregnant - HINDSIGHT IS WONDERFUL BUT SADLY DOESN'T FEED A CHILD ALREADY HERE
Friends or family - does she not know anyone. NOPE, NO ONE WILLING
Cashflow - use a credit card CREDIT SCORE IS FUCKED
Sell something ALREADY DID. SHE HAS NOTHING LEFT OF WORTH

The only thing your post shows is that only do you know nothing about immigration and the causes of crime you also know nothing about REAL poverty.

UC credit, any child elements of that and child benefit as well.

Gingerbeersallround · 27/02/2026 12:36

mollypuss1 · 27/02/2026 12:34

My fictional character is not fit to be a mother because her husband died which led to her falling into a spiral of poverty?

You really have no idea how some people end up in really shitty situations through no fault of their own, which also explains your stance on immigration.

We are off topic but if I was this fictional character milk would be prioritised over heating.

mollypuss1 · 27/02/2026 12:38

Gingerbeersallround · 27/02/2026 12:36

We are off topic but if I was this fictional character milk would be prioritised over heating.

And if she can’t afford either? Let them eat cake?

ForNavyOP · 27/02/2026 12:39

Happyjoe · 27/02/2026 12:24

Bangladeshi Londoners are the most common minority in poverty in London. Are they not Asian? Of course they are. Sigh.

Gang drug related crimes are driven by poverty.

Anyone who doesn't think that racism plays a part in creating poverty with ethnic minorities in London is an ignorant fool.

Edited

Are Bangladeshi boys over-represented in drug-dealing, gang and knife crime in London?

They're not.

What point do you think you're arguing? because it's not the one you initially set out to argue..

And you did nothing to refute my post.

Tricket · 27/02/2026 12:40

mollypuss1 · 27/02/2026 12:34

My fictional character is not fit to be a mother because her husband died which led to her falling into a spiral of poverty?

You really have no idea how some people end up in really shitty situations through no fault of their own, which also explains your stance on immigration.

If my husband died we'd receive a death in service payout, life insurance payout.....

mollypuss1 · 27/02/2026 12:43

Tricket · 27/02/2026 12:40

If my husband died we'd receive a death in service payout, life insurance payout.....

If you honestly believe everyone can afford life insurance then you are more out of touch with reality than I thought.

Crikeyalmighty · 27/02/2026 12:49

Happyjoe · 27/02/2026 12:14

Most, nearly all immigration is controlled by government, the same (tory) government that's was in charge of our services and housing who have not taken into account the huge numbers of visas they granted. They are at fault 100%. Not immigrants, not asylum seekers. Immigration has gone down a lot since last year.

So your 'yes' on the post you highlighted to reply implied you are against asylum seekers as well as building new houses for them is incorrect, it is not the fault of A.S. That's why I replied to you.

@Happyjoe yep the Tory’s granted and encouraged huge amounts post Brexit,( I was working in a building where they were processing ‘legal’ immigration arrivals. It was partly to disguise the fact to the public I feel that Brexit was a huge shit show on staffing of essential services- but can’t help but wonder if partly deliberate too , as knew they were on their way out and to sow future division fora new government . Those very same Tory people who were in the cabinet now sat there in Reform pretending that their shit doesn’t stink and they themselves had a part to play!

Gingerbeersallround · 27/02/2026 12:55

mollypuss1 · 27/02/2026 12:38

And if she can’t afford either? Let them eat cake?

If all other options have failed she would get benefits. Milk would be the priority for benefits money!!!!!

Tricket · 27/02/2026 13:00

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

mollypuss1 · 27/02/2026 13:01

Gingerbeersallround · 27/02/2026 12:55

If all other options have failed she would get benefits. Milk would be the priority for benefits money!!!!!

Utterly clueless

Tricket · 27/02/2026 13:05

Gingerbeersallround · 27/02/2026 12:55

If all other options have failed she would get benefits. Milk would be the priority for benefits money!!!!!

Know many single mums on benefits, they don't work and use UC + CB to splurge on constant takeaways and have the audacity to pay for delivery instead of just going and collecting

ForNavyOP · 27/02/2026 13:05

mollypuss1 · 27/02/2026 12:28

This is getting ridiculous. My point was that not all crimes are perpetrated by a ‘low life’ as a previous poster claimed and that there are many reasons behind why someone may turn to crime. There is little point trying to converse with people in here who are so bigoted and narrow minded that they refuse to accept anything other than that which they have been spoon fed by the media.

To answer your question about the made up ‘criminal’ mother;

Partner- can't they help out - HE’S DEAD
Benefits- if in poverty she would get UC. That covers milk? - NOPE, SHE JUST HAS ENOUGH TO PAY FOR HEATING
Get ANY job - that's what people do if they need money. - NO AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE
Long term plan - contraception is available. What was the original financial plan when becoming pregnant - HINDSIGHT IS WONDERFUL BUT SADLY DOESN'T FEED A CHILD ALREADY HERE
Friends or family - does she not know anyone. NOPE, NO ONE WILLING
Cashflow - use a credit card CREDIT SCORE IS FUCKED
Sell something ALREADY DID. SHE HAS NOTHING LEFT OF WORTH

The only thing your post shows is that only do you know nothing about immigration and the causes of crime you also know nothing about REAL poverty.

You're experiencing pushback because your claim is ridiculous.

This isn't Les Miserables, people aren't being convicted for stealing bread or formula milk to feed themselves or their families, it's that when people are presented with high costs of things, they will happily buy things at reduced costs from criminals. Even if they could afford them.

The massive increase in criminality when wars or costs of living crises happen isn't a consequence of poverty, it's criminals seizing the opportunity to steal and sell things because they know people will buy them.

The widespread theft of high-value items from supermarkets isn't desperate Mothers stealing formula, it's highly organised criminal gangs stealing things they know people will buy because the people they sell to don't want to pay full price. Meat, alcohol, beauty products, formula, cheese.

No-ones stealing bread, veg or pulses :) that would actually adequately feed people.

I used to work in a pub where stealing to order was a thing 25 years ago, it was across the road from a supermarket and customers who had enough money to drink would put their order in for meat, bottles of booze, etc.

This was in the years before streaming services when buying a pirate copy of an album or film was also a thing and you'd have people coming round with a bag full of CDS/DVDS. Literally no-one needed a pirate copy of anything because of poverty, it was just a quarter of the retail price so people bought it.

Same as the people who steal huge amounts of clothing from stores and sell it 50% off. Plenty of people willing to buy it who could easily go without.

Gingerbeersallround · 27/02/2026 13:06

mollypuss1 · 27/02/2026 13:01

Utterly clueless

To help me understand, please give me a breakdown of how she would spend her benefits money?

Gingerbeersallround · 27/02/2026 13:09

ForNavyOP · 27/02/2026 13:05

You're experiencing pushback because your claim is ridiculous.

This isn't Les Miserables, people aren't being convicted for stealing bread or formula milk to feed themselves or their families, it's that when people are presented with high costs of things, they will happily buy things at reduced costs from criminals. Even if they could afford them.

The massive increase in criminality when wars or costs of living crises happen isn't a consequence of poverty, it's criminals seizing the opportunity to steal and sell things because they know people will buy them.

The widespread theft of high-value items from supermarkets isn't desperate Mothers stealing formula, it's highly organised criminal gangs stealing things they know people will buy because the people they sell to don't want to pay full price. Meat, alcohol, beauty products, formula, cheese.

No-ones stealing bread, veg or pulses :) that would actually adequately feed people.

I used to work in a pub where stealing to order was a thing 25 years ago, it was across the road from a supermarket and customers who had enough money to drink would put their order in for meat, bottles of booze, etc.

This was in the years before streaming services when buying a pirate copy of an album or film was also a thing and you'd have people coming round with a bag full of CDS/DVDS. Literally no-one needed a pirate copy of anything because of poverty, it was just a quarter of the retail price so people bought it.

Same as the people who steal huge amounts of clothing from stores and sell it 50% off. Plenty of people willing to buy it who could easily go without.

No-ones stealing bread, veg or pulses :) that would actually adequately feed people.

Some posters think benefits money doesn't cover the cost of baby milk and mothers have a right to steal......