@******lynda****** wrote:
A myth indeed, but value of money is relative and if those in far off lands believe the myth, and to them, if they hear the amounts, compared perhaps with their own expectations at home, it may indeed sound generous, along with accommodation, they may come over in expectation of a better life.

A trickle can be helped easily...a flood is overwhelming. Are we assuming that thousands of disappointed people are just going to wait quietly till we can sort them out with homes etc. That could be a bit disingenuous.
I know we have more than we need. I see people complaining about austerity and I despair. We have an obesity problem...how does that equate with austerity. We waste tons and tons of food. Most of the complainers have more than we had when we were young, and certainly more than our parents. Tax thresholds have been raised. Interest rates and inflation are lower than I have ever seen. My husband paid 20% rates on his mortgage. My parents didn't own their own homes till they were 35 and 45, respectively. I was 46.
Yet now we say children should be able to get on the housing ladder as soon as they want to leave home.
Is there no end to the sense of entitlement? Is that the standard we are to fund in African countries to stop the flow of people?
Here, although there are people struggling, and they need more help, a lot seem to think that losing a foreign holiday is hardship.
*ducks*
Maybe some Brits should go to where these migrants come from and see what austerity and hardship really are.

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Yes money is relative, but so are living standards. I don't think dismissing "austerity" that easily is very just, as it has hit different people in different ways.  It's worth remembering more people have died in this country as a result of Austerity than terrorism in last few years. To be fair, i'm sure many younger people saddled with large student debts, unstable employment prospects, and little hope of getting on housing ladders look at sections of the older generation sitting on vastly inflated property prices complaing primarily about immigration - much of it based on bigotry - also feel dispair. As for sense of "entitlement" I think that began with aspects of the Baby Boomer generation, and has manifested since. As has a sense of selfishness and an "I'm alright Jack" mentality..

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@fallen-archie wrote:

You misunderstand my point completely,

I don't think I have. & this seems a bit paradoxical?

"what they need is the power of self determination and you don't get that simply by harping on about who was right and who was wrong Unless of course you have a better solution."

"Those like your Zimbabwean friend has demonstrated his commitment here and should be allowed to stay, others likewise. Trouble is when Mugabe started his rule he was racist, attacked his own economy and his opponents, lost millions in export revenues while building himself a new Palace and persecuting black and white. Our government for once did nothing, The Loons of the Left accepted his appointment for purely political reasons ad one of these days when the stories are told we will once again be painted in a negative light."

In other words, what good is it to point out this for the reason for today's debacle? AFAIK Asylum applicants from Zimbabwe are dwarfed by those from the oil wars. And Mathias was from Togo.

"You know that the question of benefits is an emotional topic especially for those living here who are dependent on them and they have a point, Statistics for the Somali community show that wherever they have sought refuge 80% never seek or gain employment and remain dependent upon the state. "

So what would your solution be for those here now?

http://www.economist.com/news/britain/21583710-somalis-fare-much-worse-other-immigrants-what-holds-t...

One of the problems is that Asylum applicants are not actually allowed to legally work - which also affects the opportunity to integrate. imo it would help to have some sort of temp work visa whilst application are being considered.

"It is vastly cheaper to provide clean water to Africa than it is to wage war, so lets get the water sorted. North Africa is also doable tourism alone could and should pay major dividends so lets give them some stabilityand help yjem to have pride in there own achievements".

Agreed. Potential for sub/Sahara & solar energy production is excellent too...as long as funds are reinvested in infrastructure rather than the Cayman Islands.

Finally the BBC managed a quick interview with one asylum seeker in Calais, he was from Pakistan and was running away from the Taliban How mny left to follow him?

There are some figures here, but it's from 2013 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24636868