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OP posts:
user1471453601 · 21/05/2026 19:01

HappiestSleeping · 21/05/2026 18:16

politicians who decided to give immediate benefits to migrants.

Except we don't. Depending on what type of migrant they are, they get subsistence until their application is processed.

To put them in hotels

It isn't exactly 5 star luxury though. When most people think of a hotel room, they think of themselves, maybe with a partner with a nice double bed and an en suite. They don't think of four or five single beds in that same room all sharing the same bathroom. And not always with family members either.

It's the fault of the politicians who allowed students to bring "dependent families"

Can you quote the source of this please?

It's the fault of the politicians who didn't bring into law that asylum seekers don't have to apply for asylum in the first safe country they come to.

That's pretty much all of them, in every country then, although the UK made it worse by insisting you have to actually be on British soil in order to apply, hence everyone trying to get here in order to apply.

BBC has done countless programmes about the French camps

Like the one at Sangatte that closed over 20 years ago?

The fact that the UK and Sweden are prime destinations...no one asks why.

I think everyone asks why. Even when we were part of the EU, the UK acceptance rate was one of the lowest. There were more levers available even then than the government chose to pull. The smuggling gangs are selling a dream that is not real, although arguably being many to a room in a hotel is preferable to where some of the people arriving here come from.

ETA - asylum applications have also dropped 12%, and arrivals are reducing in line with net migration.

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I've agreed with you all ready, but just wanted to add a heartfelt thank you for pointing out to those who cannot be bothered to find the facts themselves, what the truth is about asylum seekers in hotels is.

Giraffeandthedog · 21/05/2026 19:03

Musicaltheatremum · 21/05/2026 18:37

Yes because the unruly behaviour on the buses is worsening. They sit on buses all afternoon on a Friday afternoon and the weekend shouting and yelling and taking up double seats with one person. My son in law is a driver and it's got a whole lot worse since free travel was introduced. By all means have free travel too and from school but cap it at a set number of journeys a day. It's awful being a passenger in Edinburgh.

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Experiences may differ.

MadderthanMorris · 21/05/2026 19:04

The people who voted for a one sentence solution to all our economic problems and an obvious poshboy shyster with a three word slogan to implement it, now "need to see more detail". 😂

BurntBroccoli · 21/05/2026 19:11

NotAnotherScarf · 21/05/2026 17:44

But it's still 4 times what it was in 2002. It's still 92,000. In ten years that's the population of Glasgow. So where do you plan to build another Glasgow. And we are giving France millions to stop it. And that's based on last year which had a pretty shit summer stopping the small boats coming because of the weather.

But your right it's not Starmer's fault. It's the fault of the politicians who decided to give immediate benefits to migrants. To put them in hotels rather than army camps/boats/send them Ruanda.

It's the fault of the politicians who allowed students to bring "dependent families". If you're a student you ain't working so how can a family be dependent on you.

It's the fault of the politicians who didn't bring into law that asylum seekers don't have to apply for asylum in the first safe country they come to.

It's the fault of the media who have softened People to the idea of asylum...the BBC has done countless programmes about the French camps for example. Even a radio documentary about a guy who smuggle in a little girl for her father...who told him he was from Afghanistan but in fact in was Iran (then a much safer place than now) and had in fact stolen her from her mother. But they never asked why they want to come to the UK. Or the radio 4 book of the week about the Afghan family who were given right to remain in Austria...but still smuggled there very ill child to the UK. It took 4 attempts. He lived to 36 after arriving at 14, never worked and being treated by the NHS. At the time the book was published Austria has the 7th best health care in the world. The UK 14th. The difference. You have to pay for care in Austria.

The fact that the UK and Sweden are prime destinations...no one asks why. I know loads of middle class people who would love to live in France...the people in small boats are already there...

In 2002, net migration was 153,000. Not 4x what it was.

charliehungerford · 21/05/2026 19:15

MadderthanMorris · 21/05/2026 18:48

YANBU

We're discovering the one thing that terrifies Reformites more than brown people in their schools and hospitals:

Getting what they wanted, and having nothing left to complain about.

I’ve never voted for Reform, but never say never. I have absolutely no issue with immigration, but it’s about the quality of the immigrants. We want to attract qualified educated people, just the same as countries like Australia and Canada do, what we don’t want are people with little education who come here to live, who often have large families, and even if they find work are never going to be anywhere near net contributors.

it’s nothing to do with skin colour, my husband has a fabulous Indian oncologist, shes been here for years and is a massive benefit to our NHS, it’s about culture and integration.

I’d like to see a proper demographic breakdown of those who are leaving the country and those arriving, looking at their wealth, skills and level of education.

Sadly I think many of those who are leaving have a lot more to offer the countries they are moving to than those who are arriving here.

Parker231 · 21/05/2026 19:17

NotAnotherScarf · 21/05/2026 17:44

But it's still 4 times what it was in 2002. It's still 92,000. In ten years that's the population of Glasgow. So where do you plan to build another Glasgow. And we are giving France millions to stop it. And that's based on last year which had a pretty shit summer stopping the small boats coming because of the weather.

But your right it's not Starmer's fault. It's the fault of the politicians who decided to give immediate benefits to migrants. To put them in hotels rather than army camps/boats/send them Ruanda.

It's the fault of the politicians who allowed students to bring "dependent families". If you're a student you ain't working so how can a family be dependent on you.

It's the fault of the politicians who didn't bring into law that asylum seekers don't have to apply for asylum in the first safe country they come to.

It's the fault of the media who have softened People to the idea of asylum...the BBC has done countless programmes about the French camps for example. Even a radio documentary about a guy who smuggle in a little girl for her father...who told him he was from Afghanistan but in fact in was Iran (then a much safer place than now) and had in fact stolen her from her mother. But they never asked why they want to come to the UK. Or the radio 4 book of the week about the Afghan family who were given right to remain in Austria...but still smuggled there very ill child to the UK. It took 4 attempts. He lived to 36 after arriving at 14, never worked and being treated by the NHS. At the time the book was published Austria has the 7th best health care in the world. The UK 14th. The difference. You have to pay for care in Austria.

The fact that the UK and Sweden are prime destinations...no one asks why. I know loads of middle class people who would love to live in France...the people in small boats are already there...

Which laws would you change to change the position?

HobGobblynne · 21/05/2026 19:17

Musicaltheatremum · 21/05/2026 18:37

Yes because the unruly behaviour on the buses is worsening. They sit on buses all afternoon on a Friday afternoon and the weekend shouting and yelling and taking up double seats with one person. My son in law is a driver and it's got a whole lot worse since free travel was introduced. By all means have free travel too and from school but cap it at a set number of journeys a day. It's awful being a passenger in Edinburgh.

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Well then yes even more reason Starmer is on a hiding to nothing eh, literally nothing pleases everyone.

Locutus2000 · 21/05/2026 19:18

it’s nothing to do with skin colour, my husband has a fabulous Indian oncologist, shes been here for years and is a massive benefit to our NHS, it’s about culture and integration.

"I'm not racist, I've got a black friend".

OneDearWasp · 21/05/2026 19:23

Dontbeatwat · 21/05/2026 18:53

It's the net migration figure. Which means that it's the difference between people who have left and people coming in. Seeing high earners/higher rate taxpayers leave the country and being replaced with lower earners is no cause for celebration.

Several people have posted this. Is it actually true does anyone know? I can't find any sources to back this up.

CousinBette · 21/05/2026 19:26

JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff · 21/05/2026 17:58

Tbh many people don't want immigration cut blindly.

The reason it is not a good news story for me is that it harms international student recruitment which is essential to our education sector, and I don't think we are seeing a lot of skilled workers in that pot.

I personally don't vote on immigration as it is not that important to me, but in so far as I care, we have seen a huge cut in high-quality immigrants who benefit us, whilst seeing continued victims of trafficking and people smuggling - who deserve support but are probably a net cost.

Direct result of Brexit

HappiestSleeping · 21/05/2026 19:28

OneDearWasp · 21/05/2026 19:23

Several people have posted this. Is it actually true does anyone know? I can't find any sources to back this up.

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No, it isn't true. That is why nobody can post a source. The truth is that arrivals are dropping in line with net migration. Asylum applications are down too. But never let the truth get in the way of a good Reform policy story.

CousinBette · 21/05/2026 19:29

OneDearWasp · 21/05/2026 19:23

Several people have posted this. Is it actually true does anyone know? I can't find any sources to back this up.

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Oxford University’s Migration Observatory website has everything you need. Don’t get it mixed up with Migration Watch which has a very clear agenda and tends to cherry-pick (or wildly misinterpret) the research and statistics.

Summerhillsquare · 21/05/2026 19:29

FernFaery · 21/05/2026 17:30

It isn’t, that’s the whole point. He’s done bloody well, and I’m not a Labour voter most of the time.

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Our standing abroad has increased dramatically too. We are being taken seriously again, hence the deal with France on small boats.

JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff · 21/05/2026 22:04

LlynTegid · 21/05/2026 18:53

I agree about more detail. And that this government will get no credit for any reduction.

As for international students, far too many low standard institutions are propped up by them, which is not good in my opinion.

So is most of the Russell Group.

charliehungerford · 22/05/2026 09:14

Locutus2000 · 21/05/2026 19:18

it’s nothing to do with skin colour, my husband has a fabulous Indian oncologist, shes been here for years and is a massive benefit to our NHS, it’s about culture and integration.

"I'm not racist, I've got a black friend".

Don’t be ridiculous. I’ve worked with people from many backgrounds and various skin colours during my working life, some of them had come here from overseas, many of them were English, my kids have grown up with friends from so many different backgrounds and races who were always welcome in my home. I lived in a very multicultural area with neighbours from the Caribbean and Eastern Europe. They were all hard working individuals who contributed greatly to our country.

Why is it that anyone who questions immigration is called racist?

Please tell me what benefit an undocumented, uneducated and barely literate 25 year old economic migrant who speaks little or no English who arrives on a small boat from France is going to bring to the country? If wanting to stop these type of immigrants makes me a racist so be it!

charliehungerford · 22/05/2026 09:39

OneDearWasp · 21/05/2026 19:23

Several people have posted this. Is it actually true does anyone know? I can't find any sources to back this up.

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There is data from the ONS that shows those leaving the uk are more likely to be higher skilled and better educated than the general population. 45-50% are degree educated, which is higher than the general population. Many move overseas and take their skills with them. It’s known as the ‘brain drain’.

InterestedDad37 · 22/05/2026 10:16

Summerhillsquare · 21/05/2026 19:29

Our standing abroad has increased dramatically too. We are being taken seriously again, hence the deal with France on small boats.

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... (re: France). However, France really doesn't care one jot about stopping the boats - there's nothing in it for them. So they will take any money we throw their way, be seen to be 'helping', but ultimately just let it all slide.
(For context, I'm a pro-Europe very-lefty. Nothing would ever make me vote for either Conservatives or Reform).

Parker231 · 23/05/2026 08:19

charliehungerford · 22/05/2026 09:39

There is data from the ONS that shows those leaving the uk are more likely to be higher skilled and better educated than the general population. 45-50% are degree educated, which is higher than the general population. Many move overseas and take their skills with them. It’s known as the ‘brain drain’.

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We left - DH and I, a doctor and accountant have moved to Canada and DT’s after uni in the UK got graduate jobs in Amsterdam and Brussels. DS did engineering at uni and many of his year group got jobs abroad.

charliehungerford · 23/05/2026 08:27

Parker231 · 23/05/2026 08:19

We left - DH and I, a doctor and accountant have moved to Canada and DT’s after uni in the UK got graduate jobs in Amsterdam and Brussels. DS did engineering at uni and many of his year group got jobs abroad.

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Exactly, you are the type of people who have the skills that are welcomed overseas. Educated and ambitious. I saw a comment yesterday stating that most of the British people leaving (not people from overseas going back or students) are retirees moving abroad, most of them aren’t, they are people like yourself and your family.

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