On Wednesday night Conservative MPs were in the Chamber for the Second Reading of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill before the House of Commons. Sadly, instead of introducing the changes our immigration system clearly needs, the Bill merely illustrates that we have a Government who, after 12 years of struggling—and largely failing—in immigration policy, are now just punch drunk when trying to deal with it.
Ministers in this Government have presided over the most chaotic situation in the immigration system in modern history. In the last twelve years we have had five Labour Home Secretaries, each of whom have in turn promised to crackdown on abuses of the system.
Instead, this has lead to the introduction of a new immigration Bill almost every year – this is the eighth under this Government – but far too many of them, including this one, ignore the real issues and instead add to the confusion. When the current immigration minister was appointed – the third I have shadowed in four years – even he admitted that “people didn’t believe the authorities knew what they were doing, and there’s a very good reason for that – they didn’t.”
Last summer, the departing Home Secretary published a draft bill, with a whole range of ideas about what to do. Most are still where they started – back on the drawing board. Instead we have a Bill which is a haphazard mix of a few ideas, some of which might help a little, others of which are meaningless, and in between there are a few which are just absurd.
This Bill is also a missed opportunity. The Government’s failure to tackle Britain’s porous borders has resulted in a disastrous rise in organised immigration crime. We cannot tackle crime in the UK effectively without addressing the problem of our porous borders. We believe that our borders can be better policed, preventing significant illegal immigration, as well as cracking down on the trafficking of people, weapons and drugs. That is why an incoming Conservative Government would make the setting up of a national border police force one of our top priorities. The Bill could, if the Government were to co-operate, allow us to make a start on that.
Experience has surely taught us in all parts of the House that the specialisation of police services is effective in fighting new types of crime. That is why we set up a committee under Lord Stevens, a former Metropolitan Police Commissioner, who conducted a review of our border security arrangements and concluded that only a unified border force could protect our borders effectively. We intend to replace the current system, which lacks a fully comprehensive and joined-up strategy as well as adequate direction. The officers of the border force should have all the necessary powers and training to arrest, detain and prosecute offenders, as well as the ability to develop specialist skills in fighting people trafficking, illegal immigration and drug smuggling.
There is a need for big changes in our immigration system. We need changes to the points-based system to allow us to place a limit on the number of work permits issued, to bring about a properly integrated border police force and to strengthen the need to speak English for those intending to settle in this country, particularly through marriage.
The Bill fails to address these important central issues. It will go the way of many of its predecessors—over-hyped on its introduction, then barely leaving a trace on the real world. We need properly radical immigration legislation, but to get that, we need a new Government. With every day that passes, it becomes increasingly clear just how much we need a new Government.
Comment by John J C Moss on June 7, 2009 at 10:54 am
Sham marriages are a real problem. We should only grant the spouse entering the country conditional or probationary status for at least three years.
If they are not still together with their spouse after three years, then they lose their right to stay.
Comment by Michael Tucker on June 7, 2009 at 3:29 pm
I agree with Damian Green. Their does need to be immigration policie changes. Why not once the borders have been controlled then you could only let in people who will work and have something to offer the country. Because lets face it British Industry seems to be in decline and we could use some more skilled labour. Then once an immigrant is employed they will be paying taxes and helping the country. So don’t stop them but tighten up the borders that let people in. But not to forget their may be exceptions to the rule say those seeking a safe haven from persicution.
Comment by Aru Sivananthan on June 11, 2009 at 8:58 pm
Lets assume for a moment the incredulous. That is that the current legislation works (not!). Does anyone know how the present government deals with skilled migrants and skills shortages under existing legislation? I don’t! I have been trying very hard to recruit nurses for nursing homes I run. There is dire shortage in the UK. Yet when I call the home office it would appear that under current rules, Belly Dancers are given greater priority than nurses as skilled migrants. When do you think Labour going to look at real skills shortages and apply common sense to real skills shortages in the U.K.? I suspect never!
Comment by Michael Roberts on December 5, 2009 at 9:56 am
If you want to know why non-EU immigration is as high as it is, look at the website of the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/mac. MAC advise government on immigration matters, particularly in relation to work permits, the points based system, etc.
It is crystal clear from reading the MAC’s reports that non-EU work-permit-related immigration could very easily be cut. But MAC’s “stakeholders” – the people they listen to – are primarily groups who benefit from immigration. And the members of the committee itself are primarily economists. It is hardly surprising that MAC recommends that immigration should be permitted for migrants who will benefit their stakeholders and for migrants who might be “good for the economy”.
One perfect example is MAC’s just released December 2009 report on “Tier 1″ immigration. Tier 1 allows graduates from outside the EU to come here without a job offer. MAC’s report says this is a good thing as it adds to the UK’s “human capital”, provides a pool of skill for employers, etc, etc, etc. Great stuff from an economist’s point of view. Tens of thousands of non-EU migrants come each year via this route – not to fill a vacancy but to look for work. MAC did consider banning this sort of immigration and saying all migrants must have a job offer before coming here, but decided against it.
There are dozens of pro-immigration voices speaking to MAC. But MAC does not hear the voice of the majority of the British people. MAC does not receive representations saying sod your economics, cut the number of non-EU migrants. Indeed the MAC would disdain such voices as not worthy of consideration: those voices would be unable to support their case with numerical economic data.
Did you know that chefs are given priority in the non-EU immigration stakes? Only an economist could construct an argument for that. Most of us would say if you can’t find a chef in the UK tough, shut your restaurant. Not the Migration Advisory Committee.
It is quite clear to me, having looked at MAC’s reports and immigration data, that if non-EU immigration was restricted only to those who come to fill actual vacancies in occupations critical to the public services or the economic health of the UK (and those vacancies are genuinely unfillable by British workers) that non-EU work permit immigration could be cut from 120,00 to 20,000 per annum.
My message to politicians is this: reset MAC’s terms of reference. Give MAC an objective: by March 2010 to recommend how the Tier 1 & 2 rules can be changed so that the system allows in 20,000 non-EU migrants a year and ensures it is the most vital vacancies they fill. And vital does not include chefs, hotel managers, meat boners and trimmers or town planners.
The British public are willing to forgo the theoretical potential economic benefits of the other 100,000 immigrants in furtherance of their desire that overcrowding is not further worsened, that social tensions are not further inflamed – indeed in furtherance of their, the majority’s, simply desire that there be less immigration. Things economists’ fancy mathematical models do not take into account. Just who is running this country?
This is the Migration Advisory Committee’s email address: mac@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
And by the way, liking or disliking diversity and multiculturalism is not an argument for or against immigration: these things are here to stay even if there is zero immigration from now on.
Comment by William on December 6, 2009 at 11:35 pm
On a first point, I feel really sorry that, if you are reading this Damien Green, you were the only M.P during this parliament to get arrested, you were totally innocent of the crime and I am happy that you are free and left alone.
We need to deport all the criminal, Illegal immigrants, terrorists, and extremist immigrants and import hard working, decent legal immigrants and allow the Gurkhas full rights live in this country with a full state pension.
Immigration has benefited this country overwhelmly, especially the N.H.S (National Health Service) and industry, but only between 25,000 – 50,000 a year, that’s why I support the A.L.I (Annual Limitation on Immigration).
It is once this procedure is done plus giving our country’s pride back that we can defunct and dismantle the B.N.P (British National Party).
Lets start the fight back now!!!
Comment by Joe Bloggs on December 7, 2009 at 9:42 pm
We do not need any more immigrants, their are enough unemloyed here to fill in gaps in the employment market.
Certainly we do not need an un democratic EU dictating policy on who and how many immigrants we should be taking in the UK, If the EU starts that kind of nonsense on Immigration and other matters then we must face the EU down or leave it all together. The man on the street has had a bellyfull of EU intervference, more so as we were and still are being denied a Vote on how much of Europe we want to be.
Im a Scot living In Scotland and its worse up here, the SNP are actively encouraging more immigration, this being the same stupid SNP that wants to become more Independantly Isolated within the UK but more part of a federal europe..talk about contradictory! its not easy jumping to the tunes of 3 parliaments..well two parliaments really as Alex Salmonds parliament is only supposed to be an executive.
So please….Stand up for Britain and the British and fight our corner or I will find a party that will.
Comment by rooose green on December 9, 2009 at 2:07 pm
I live in australia where the attitude to immigration is very different,you are expected to intergrate to join in and participate in return for a new country to live in with all its benefits . Unlike immigrants in the uk who seem not appear to like the brits or their way of life and have no requirement to intergrate , Myself and others intergrate at every opportunity, and would not dream of taking any one to court . My husband and I want to come back to uk to live ,we are both skilled we hoping and praying the conservative party wins the next election and has the guts to do what is right by the country
Comment by david peacock on December 12, 2009 at 5:23 pm
deport all illegal immigrants with NO right of appeal.
clamp down on claimants of political asilum as most of them a fakes
Comment by Richard Aitkins on December 12, 2009 at 6:21 pm
There is absolutely no need for any more non-EU immigration into Britain. Limited work permits perhaps, but no more.
England has the third highest population density on the planet. Just where are all these immigrants going to live? Destroy more and more of our countryside? No thanks. Are pro-immigration people willing to rent out spare rooms? I doubt it.
There are millions of unemployed people in this country. That is a massive pool of labour. These aren’t just unskilled people but includes tradespersons and university graduates.
There needs to be a suspension of immigration for several years to sort out the current mess and put a proper system in place. This will allow time to clear the country of illegal immigrants and bogus asylum seekers, and really assess what is required. As I said, people coming here should be given a work permit only, not citizenship.
There simply isn’t any more room in this country for immigration. Businesses need to make do with what’s here and retrain people if required.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of immigrants flood in from the Indian sub-continent and Africa. Are these people really more skilled than what’s already here?
There are now certain parts of the country which are no-go areas for the indigenous population. Perhaps the Westminster elite should take a walk through these places at night to see for themselves.
While Labour and the Conservatives continue to support large-scale immigration, expect the BNP’s popularity to grow.
Comment by Arnold Whittle on December 15, 2009 at 9:20 pm
It is to late to talk about immigration, Labour has had an open door policy with Europe to let in anyone who arrives at our borders, this policy has been going on for years and now the country is at breaking point, the services are at breaking point because of the number of extra people residing here. If your population grows by many millions as it has here you are going to have problems,with the demands on resources.
Comment by Keith Dickson on December 16, 2009 at 9:45 am
Recent commenters are absolutely right.We must be seen to be making a stand to retain our way of life.Imagine if the concerns of the people who feel forced into considering the BNP were addressed by us?Its not rocket science and is right for Britain,we are seen correctly then as country before politics
Comment by John Smith on December 18, 2009 at 2:09 pm
A few years ago I did some voluntary work for a housing association . One of my tasks was to look after 4 teenage Albanians, who through an interpreter told me that they had come here to avoid military conscription in their own country. As an ex national serviceman I view this as the wrong reason to desert your country. If you cannot serve your country of origin are you the sort of person who is likely to serve G.B? I think not. How many other nationalities of military age are coming here from countries where our young men are fighting and dying. Stop all immigration and train our own unemployed to fill skill shortages.
Comment by BRIAN FROST on December 22, 2009 at 4:21 pm
GET OUR WORKERS BACK INTO JOBS AND SKILLS WE ONCE WERE PROUD OF, EARLY AFRICANS CAME BUT MINGLED IN AND BECAME PART OF US,BUT SOME LEGAL COUNTRIES SEEM TO BE IN A SEPERATE GROUP TO US NOWADAYS, WHEN THEY ARRIVE THEY SHOULD BE SWORN IN AS UK CITIZENS AND FOLLOW OUR WAYS OF LIFE,, IF WE WENT TO THEIR COUNTRY THEY WOULD EXPECT THAT OF US SO LET THEM SHOW RESPECT. I DO NOT OPOSE THEIR BELIEFS BUT WE HAVE OURS ALSO.
SEND THE ILLEGAL ONES BACK TO FRANCE
WHO SHOVELS THEM OVER TO US LET THEM CONTEND WITH THEM WE ARE HARD UP BECAUSE WE ARE IN THE EU THAT
FRANCE AND GERMANY SEEM TO RULE, BY WHAT I CAN MAKE OF THIS GROUP OF MISFITS TELLING US WHAT TO DO.
Comment by Michael Roberts on December 22, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Here are 12 concrete proposals for reducing non-EEA immigration significantly.
1. Suspend the Tier 1 General Migrant/Highly Skilled Worker category. This category currently allows those with Masters degrees and PhDs to enter without a job.
2. Restrict the Tier 2 Shortage Occupations list to occupations which are vital to the economy or to public services.
3. Within the Tier 2 Resident Labour Market Test category introduce a “Priority Occupations” list. Make entry for unlisted occupations more difficult than now.
4. Enable a points-based capping mechanism by adjusting points allocations.
5. Reduce Tier 1 Post-Study Worker visas to 6 months and thereby subject all post-study workers to the same Tier 2 rules as other would-be immigrants.
6. Charge employers a £5,000 fee for employing each non-EEA worker to give them an incentive to find British workers.
7. Raise the minimum salary that must be paid to migrants from £20,000 so that they and their dependants enhance rather than reduce UK per capita GDP.
8. Raise the assets thresholds for Investors and Entrepreneurs to allow entry only to those with sufficient assets to make a significant contribution to the UK economy.
9. Grant Tier 2 Intra-Company visas for a maximum of 2 years, with a condition that these 2 years do not count towards gaining residency.
10. Issue Tier 2 visas on the understanding that the migrant and dependants will return home after 4 years maximum. Grant Indefinite Leave to Remain only in exceptional circumstances.
11. Change the Migration Advisory Committee’s brief to reflect a strictly capped immigration environment.
12. Raise to 24 the age at which a UK resident can sponsor entry of a spouse in order radically to reduce spouse immigration.
The above would redice immigrantion by around 75,000 per annum.
More details at
http://www.current.fsnet.co.uk/proposals-for-reducing-non-eea-immigration.doc
Comment by malcolm ford on December 25, 2009 at 6:58 pm
untill cameron gets a backbone and promises to halt immigration for 5 years at least,give the people a referendum on wether they wish to remain in the corrupt eu,send all foriegn lags home without payment and make prisons a place where criminals are punished he can forget mine and the votes of the majority of the hard working low and middle class taxpayers.
Comment by Keith Dickson on December 29, 2009 at 3:23 pm
The plane bomber was of course another example of Labour incompetence and treachery on this issue.Why havent you demanded that parliament be dissolved because the incumbent government are traitors to Britain.? Your silence is deafening on the worst government since westminster began.If the Tories are to remain silent on Labours destruction of Britain through immigration and pandering to extremists,then what makes you different?.You may not care,but my christian ,taxpayer,family man vote is like many others dependent on Mr Cameron showing some courage.
Comment by A Scot on January 6, 2010 at 2:25 pm
I would like to commend the comments of Michael Roberts and I hope Damian Green and other conservative MPs take serious notice of them. With climate change and the threat to food and water in the medium and long term, population density and preservation of arable land is the critical factor, not the needs of economists, industrialists and business leaders for cheap or skilled labour. This will require changes to our nation’s laws, withdrawal from Human Rights and Asylum treaties and some hard changes to our relationship with the EU. Are people aware that a large proportion of the quarter million Somali community in this country actual came here as EU immigrants having first been granted asylum in Denmark and Sweden and other such countries? I really don’t think our political and educated, chattering, informed etc Classes really “get” the immigration issue!
Some of the naive views expressed about the Gurkha immigration issue are a prime illustration of how confused and misled most British people are after 12 years of New Labour. I am astonished and saddened by what the Blair government and Ms Lumley have done. British Gurkhas and their pensioner predecessors provide Nepal with its 2nd greatest source of foreign currency and income earnings after tourism and unlike tourism the trickle down affect is much much greater as none of it is handled by the Nepalese Government and goes straight to the recipients. This is now seriously under threat for the future. Nepal has a Maoist Government who will soon subvert the democratic process and with no monarchy to stop them, will install themselves as the sole legal party. The Gurkhas in the main loath and fear the Maoists and this will drive up immigration to the UK. All current serving Gurkhas are now on the same terms as Commonwealth recruits and have a right to UK residency and eventually citizenship after 5 years service. The main inducement now to joining the British Brigade of Gurkhas is as a means of immigration to Britain and obtaining that precious British Passport. The only lesson that will make Cameron, Clegg, Brown (and Ms Lumley) understand what is going on and how the majority of ordinary people feel, is for every Nepali Family arriving at Heathrow with 2 suitcases and not much else, to be taken to our naive “leaders” homes and deposited there for them to look after.
Comment by Arnold Whittle on January 6, 2010 at 4:34 pm
As I stated in my emails to the Conservatives several week ago the level’s of immigration in this Country is at crisis point, today in the National press a leading Figure in the church and a leading MP from the Labour Ranks reinforced my argument, that there is unbearable levels of people in this country they mention a figure of 70 million being a breaking point for this Country I think that this figure has allready been passed. Nobody in the Government ranks no how many people are residing hear, the down draw on the benifit system, housing provision, extra load on doctors practices and hospital services, displacement of the core Britsih population from the labour market, and the cost of providing these services will break the bank if this situation is not addressed.
Comment by Arnold Whittle on January 7, 2010 at 10:59 pm
The cost of immigration to this Country is massive this year according to figure in the broad sheets11.5 Billion pounds of money earned in UK was taken out and spent in EU countries and other’s, crime cost’s were 50 Billion pounds, and state support for immigration is on top of those figures so we are looking at figure in the region of say 70Billion pounds at present
Comment by Ed James on January 14, 2010 at 11:28 pm
Immigration whether “legal” or “illegal” is very very intimidating to say the least. It is wholly and utterly wrong. Our whole society from the toffs at the top, to the under-classes; in essence, what we are, is seriously under threat. Immigrants do not share our history, our culture, or experiences as British citizens. We have a common experience with each other, and as such, we should fight our own causes amongst ourselves. We collectively did not invite city-loads of foreigners to come here and multiply.
For a Labour government to relax and hence open the floodgates is a crime by the state on it’s indigenous populace. The sort not witnessed in human history.
Do not be surprised if the BNP get seats at the next election, it is only natural, and I for one may even vote for them, on principle to make my deep concerns felt.
The subtle, but distinct drip-fed acceptance of this as managed by the BBC is shameful. They have, it seems, become, a host to the multicultural assimilation of society doctrine. It shows up in many of its broadcasts.
There seems to be a an acceptance that 70 million in Britain is the limit. I disagree, it ought to be 60 milion and NO MORE!!! Period. Better still 55 million, circa 1980 figures.
Comment by Stacey Andrew on January 15, 2010 at 3:54 am
I think the UK should stop incoming immigrants and sort out the growing number of both employed and unemployed illegal immigrants. I think there is little need for news ones until there is control on the one’s here already. Johnson and several universities carried out research to showing that there are ways of dealing with them and tighten the border a.s.a.p. I mean granting citizenship for free is too rewarding but there are other ways cause they have contributed to our in economy in one way or another.
Comment by Martin Smith on January 22, 2010 at 9:26 pm
We as a nation are becoming the dumping ground for the worlds toilet, and there is one way to stop it STOP all free health care,housing,education and benifits to the people that do not deseve it. since the EU was ratified the floodgates have opened and the pillocks that are now running our country from Brussels are allowing all and sundry through their borders and into ours. we should be more like australia and set some conditions for entry IE Job,money and a trade. Since when as the muslim and arab countries been in the EU, no requirement to accept these people. It seems that anyone can just walk into this country claim what ever they want and then protest at how they are treated if this country is that bad then put them on the first plane back where they came from. We work hard for what we get for the tax then to be paid to wasters to do nothing but spout vile things about us Mr Cameron its time for “change” but what are you going to do about it. 1 Get rid of the human rights bill they have no rights. 2 stop all the african nations from sending us their waste.3 give us back our country we deserve it. 4 get rid of the muslims of hate and the terror threat goes away.take awy the automatic right to free everything we have to work for anything we want and fight harder to keep it. MR CAMERON its time to stand up and be counted, can you?
Comment by Martin Prior on February 7, 2010 at 6:42 am
Unable to find work after leaving the Forces he set up a Company overseas and employed over 60 Britains to work in Oil&Gas related work around the world. Put together a team to develop and produce a computer system that gained the attention of the US Defense Department, worked with NGO’s around the world and in the UK helping vulnerable people. Generally standing on his own two feet for over 50 years and then his wife of ten years denied entry so they are unable to retire gracefully. Good system.
Comment by anna on February 7, 2010 at 3:01 pm
i’m in favour of John Smith & Michael Roberts ideas on Immigration controls. I think the Conservative Govt. should seriously listen to the good citizens and find a better solution to one of these country failures.
Comment by Sian Muthusamy on February 24, 2010 at 3:47 pm
I now live in Singapore and they have a very organised answer to the immigration/benefits issue. There are 3 tiers of people here. First are the foreign workers. They come here only if they have a job, they pay taxes, receive no benefits and if they misbehave, they are out, no arguments. Second are the PR’s. They have limited rights, tax breaks etc and have access to housing/schools and hospitals but they have to pay towards this. Finally are the citizens. They get all the rights, benefits, tax breaks etc and priority access to heavily subsidised health/schools and housing. With these rights, the government expects much responsibility from it’s citizens. It’s all up front, everyone understands if they want to live here, this is how it is. If you don’t like it, then don’t come. The numbers can be turned up or down as the country’s requirements alter. Just getting your toe on the soil doesn’t grant you the same rights as a fully paid up citizen, nor should it.
The difference is Singapore is in control of it’s own laws and borders, something we have given up to Brussels, and until we regain these things, whatever we do to try to solve this problem is doomed to failure I fear.
Comment by Peter on February 27, 2010 at 7:49 pm
Damian
Just do what the people want please. That’s all. Simple as that.
Peter
Comment by R Tankaria on March 2, 2010 at 9:29 pm
I offer further support to those furious people of this country who work very hard to sustain their families only to find that others are able to fast track the system to an easy life of state benefits which during the course of any given year amount to more than the national average wage for a working person.
I am or course referring to the case (and many thousands in this country like her) of Nimco Hassan Ibrahim and her four children who were awarded a council house and other benefits in Harrow despite not previously ever worked or contributed to British society and despite evidence showing she was unlikely to be able to make any conrtibution whatsoever.
The rent on such a property alone at the LHA rates amounts to some £18,000 per year. Together with council tax benefits, income support, free school meals, uniforms and school trips for all her children, the annual amount a working parent must earn to sustain this lifestyle would be in the region of £40,000 before tax and NI. Is this country really that generous that it encourages people to stay on state handouts rather than seek work? This lady surely would not be able to earn that level of income, so why should hard working people support her to this level. If one is on state benefits, one must be at the poor end of society rather than being better than those who are working and contributing to society.
This madness can go further; In the instance that someone in the Somali woman’s position could have picked Kensington or Knightsbridge as their preferred residential location and under the recent House of Lords ruling, the benefit claimant now has a right to choose where they wish to live. The cost of housing in this part of London is the most expensive and would equate to an annual salary requirement before tax and NI of some £80,000, of which £54,000 net being allocated to pay the rent for accommodation under LHA rates for a 4 bedroom property.
Why is it also that if this country MUST support non contributors to society, that these people have a say in where they should be housed. Surely the public’s duty must end at providing them with basics at the best value to the taxpayer. Why is it inconceivable to allocate housing for these people in the cheapest parts of the country where housing is at an oversupply such as parts of northern England where the rents can be 5% of those in the most desirable locations in London. If people on state welfare are perceived to be less well off than those who are working, surely that would act as an incentive for such people to seek out work to better their lives and hence the productivity of our country.
Surely there must be a case for value to the British Taxpayer. Does no one listen to the taxpayer and is it all about keeping public image and face so as not to upset key voters?
It cannot be right that long term non contributing people can enjoy a better lifestyle than the hardworking British people who pay their way through society by giving up their hours and most of their life working to do so. If the state provides a system where people are better off under welfare arrangements, then eventually long term unemployment will become a way of life for the UK and the governments “alleged” policy of reducing unemployment is pure folly.
This will be detrimental to the competitiveness of the UK economy. India and China are fine examples where those that do not work are left without, which generally has the effect of encouraging people to do something to earn an income to sustain themselves. This self survival by hard work then feeds down generations who have this culture embedded in them. This is real family values and not reliant on state values which seems to change depending which ever party is in power.
We should take a harder look at the policies of welfare payments of Singapore or the extreme polices of the UAE.In these countries taxes are very low but the competitiveness of the country as a whole if very strong and the crime rate low also. The economic policies of Singapore was modelled on the British system from the 1960′s with the good parts adapted whist restraint was applied on the wasteful / bad parts such as generous welfare payments. Look how far these economies have developed in a very short space of time.
One must wonder why these immigrant populations do not seek to reside in India for example, where immigration from countries like Somalia is virtually unheard of, but instead such populations will go to extreme lengths to fight to come to the UK. Why must we open our arms whilst other countries can simply say no? What incentive does a hard working British worker have to work harder? What incentive does a creative Entrepreneur have to work harder and create more jobs when most of that extra income will be taxed so it can pay for such waste?
This country has all the right people and educated talent which is simply going abroad or going to waste. Why not give them the incentive to want to stay and work harder in the uk?
Comment by geoff williams on March 17, 2010 at 7:31 pm
When will this party tell us what is going to do to tackle immigration.
Comment by Barry Gaskell on March 20, 2010 at 12:23 pm
I am, I believe, a moderate and reasonable human being. Alas I feel I have to speak out.
This (see below) is the sort of thing that is happening in Britain today. We are sleepwalking into a situation that, even now, I suspect, is too late to reverse. Soft and inadequate government with ludicrous and lunatic pandering to minority rights, to the detriment of the mute and indifferent citizen of this country, has sown the seeds of it’s own demise. Short termism and timid grey suited do gooders have done for this fine country of ours. It’s not now the threat from without, but the threat from within, that is the enemy. Oh for another Churchill, or Elizabethh 1st, with the heart, belief, loyalty and pride in our land, to fight for our once proud nation. Alas, I feel all is lost.
true_face_of_islam.wmv
Enough said.
Barry Gaskell
Comment by s carr on April 5, 2010 at 11:15 pm
Damien,
I am a voice of the silent majority, as are all the others who have posted here. If the Conservative Party wishes, as I heard on the news this evening, to support the UK silent majority, then it should act, even if in a draconian manner on the immigration crisis facing the UK.
With the country currently in such a parlous economic state, I do not see how we can continue to spare the billions of sterling currently being spent on the costs of supporting the unstoppable tide of immigration, in terms of state handouts, housing, healthcare, education and legal aid, immigration lawyers etc etc. When a country is in a healthy economic condition – such as it was after the Thatcher government came to power, it can afford to be generous in these terms.However, with the current levels of unemployment in tis country I for one, cannot comprehend why the government keeps insisting that we need to import an overseas workforce to fill workplaces that do not exist, and costs the country more in terms of additional burdens that it places on the resources of this country, such as healthcare, state housing, education, than it will ever contibute in terms of taxable contributions. Why are we not encouraging the indigenous unemployed workforce to fill the labour shortage? At least then we taxpayers would see some return on our investment in their state-supported lifestyle.
The country has to put a serious halt on the numbers it is currently admitting – no matter wherer these originate from. Will the Conservative Party show some backbone in this matter and make a serious attempt to stop cowing to EU directives which are making this island the dumping ground of Europe. The UK economic and cultural infrastructure cannot sustain the current levels of non-indigenous population growth. We need to act now and put an end to uncontrolled immigration before the country bursts at the seams.
I for one would like to see a positive statement on immigration control initiatives from the Conservatives.
Comment by Dave Westbury on April 19, 2010 at 1:16 pm
Hello,
I have travelled extensively to Africa & Asia with over the last 17 years & have set up an e-commerce business retailing Fairly Traded items bought directly from the artisans who make them.
Most people living in poverty that I have seen would never have the funds to travel to the UK as an Asylum seeker & they would not wish to leave their families behind.
Economic migrants are taking funds that could be better spent assisting those who remain in their country to make better lives for themselves such as providing micro-loans & small business training. This is an unfair grasping of opportunity by those financially able at the expense of the poor. I believe we should be extremely tough on illegal immegrants & redirect funds saved to assist economic delevopment for those who take the hard route & stay in their country.
Best wishes for the election.
PS please let everyone know what Lib Dem policies actually are! That`s the sure way to dent their surge!
Comment by Arnie Whittle on April 27, 2010 at 7:49 pm
I am not in favour of being weak on immigration the liberal stance on allowing 1 million plus immigrants from other areas of the world, to have the right to stay in Britain is bonkers, you have to have strict rules on who is resident in your country, and you need an accurate assessment area by area who is residing here, this country cannot provide housing, health, welfare, and jobs, to all these people this has to stop no.
Comment by AM on April 30, 2010 at 10:39 pm
Just watching the BBC news looking at the migration policies and whether the policies can be effective – in particular looking at immigration from outside the EU. They presented the net number of immigrants as -8000, clearly trying to make it look like the Conservative policy on having a cap on those entering the country from outside the EU as infective – but as far as I know the policy doesn’t prevent individuals from leaving and so their presentation was completely flawed – the net number is irrelevant – it is the number entering that is affected by the cap.
Another piece of BBC spin/Bias?
Comment by Katie James on May 21, 2010 at 12:17 am
The Home Office have been making admin errors on a regular basis relating to dates of birth names and places of origin this results in inaccurate identity documents issued to asylum seekers that can be used for fraud and pose a security risk even when they have the accurate documents for these asylum seekers mistakes are being made with all the talk of security i would like an inquiry as to this asap I was shocked to find this out and feel I have to bring this to your attention
Comment by Arnold Whittle on June 27, 2010 at 10:42 pm
This government had better get a grip on immigration because the cost to this country is vast, 1.7million jobs going to people from other parts of the world is very bad practice in my book when we have our own people out of work and assigned to the scrap heap, how long can this situation go on. Home grown degree graduates not getting even a look at a proper job, and ending up working in some casual job with no prospects, we have to reverse this immigration situation and put our own citizens first.
Comment by Charles R on July 31, 2010 at 12:12 am
Immigration benefits business at the expense of people. If we trained our workforce adequately we wouldn’t need to plunder the 3rd world for talent they desperately need to retain. Also, we wouldn’t need to build more houses on flood plains, nuclear power stations, reservoirs, roads on SSSIs, etc etc
Comment by kathy francis on August 1, 2010 at 12:17 pm
I do hope the Conservatives read this site and the many intelligent solutions that people have come up with. I would add that once immigrants are here, legal or otherwise, it is difficult to get them to leave. Intelligent answers needed again. I do agree that no more passports or visas should be given but temporary leave to remain only and a huge push on deporting overstayers that have been here years. They quickly marry or have (many) children which makes things more difficult.
Comment by James Moore on August 14, 2010 at 12:11 am
How come we do not treat the children of British citizens equally and give immigrants who have ILE /ILE more privileges then those who have a right of abode ? Look at what the UKBA have been doing discriminating against the children of British citizens! On August the 4th the UKBA allowed ILE persons to use expired passports to evidence their on going right to work, so what is wrong with the kids of British citizens who hold the right of abode not to be able to do the same ?
Comment by JOHN HIGHAM on October 22, 2010 at 11:56 pm
It is simply what to do, But none of you have thought about it….
Any person coming into the country must have a sponsor for a minimum of 5 years and no benifits at all would be paid to the people coming into the country until after 5 years of them paying taxes. No-matter what the situations for the people entering Great Britain no moneis should be paid to them ………………..