Preparedness for when

Frugalsod

mardatha wrote: »

I hate racism - I think we are all Jock Tamson's bairns. But the whole problem is that this is an island and it's FULL.

We are a long way from being full. We only live on 8% of the land. Also I think that our population density is well below that of many places, even Belgium, South Korea, Lebanon, Netherlands, India, Japan, Sri Lanka, Philippines, and Vietnam have a higher population density than we do. We are the 53rd most densely populated nation in the world. If we were to even match the density of just the Netherlands (30th) we could accept another 37 319 027 people.

fuddle

We may be rich in land but much of that land is suited to only the crofter amongst us. We are full. Our infrastructure is knackered, our services are bursting, our houses are full, our land is inhabitable or on flood plains, our jobs are few and far between because our economy relies on us spending to prosper instead of producing, our most vulnerable in society cannot be helped as we once were able to as there are now too many vulnerable people.

It's in laymans terms but it is how I feel.

GreyQueen

I agree with you, fuddle.

We could all scoosh up and make room for a few more people - in theory. My hometown's popluation went up by 20% in under 5 years due to migration from one single european country. The infrastructure couldnae take it, Jim, and the GP practices had to close their lists to new patients as they couldn't serve all the extras. Nor were there homes or school places.

We could, theoretically, make Greater London join Greater Manchester. We could fill in every pond and marsh, fell every tree, build a housing estate on every arable field or pasture. We could build cars and roads and sit for hours a day in traffic jams whilst tens of thousands more of us choked our lives out of the resultant fumes.

If I wanted to live in a slum, I'd emigrate to Kalkuta or Cairo. I don't want my country turned into something like them.

paidinchickens

When I think of politics I always think of Yes minister which aired in the 80s, full of big ideas for the good of the country then he was blackmailed, twisted and turned into achieving nothing.

PiC x

[Deleted User]

If they're going to let in another 37,319,027 people I'm going to need some help folks, I'll need volunteers to help me locate and pull out the plug that keeps the water out and this little island floating, we'll sink the thing and by then MAR will have finished knitting that Ark she started on all those years ago and we'll all sail off to the land where the bong tree grows and live with the owl and his feline partner!!!

Nargleblast

In my little world, the rules for migration are simple. If I moved to live in another country, I would ensure I had a job lined up or some other means of financial support. I would learn at least enough of the local language to get by on a daily basis and make an effort to improve my vocabulary by socialisng with my new neighbours. I would pay my rightful share of taxes and obey the laws of the land. And although I would hold on to my pride in being English, and celebrate my culture, I would try and make an effort to integrate into my new society.
That is what I would do, and that is what I expect anyone to do, who wants to come and live here from another country. And anyone who is not prepare to work hard (or support themselves with some private income) and pay taxes, obey our laws, respect our customs, learn our language and make an effort to get on with the natives....can jolly well sod off and sponge off another country. We have enough hassle with home-grown villains and pond life without importing them from abroad.

(Climbs down off soap box)

[Deleted User]

Well said Nargleblast!!!

GreyQueen

:mad: I came off the phone to the police seconds ago; one of my neighbours has wigged out on drugs and is running amok. AGAIN.

Tell ya, they should just move the cop-shop down to the Towers and save themselves some petrol and shoe-leather. All together now; nee-naw, nee-naw, nee-naw............

That's what you call a Blue Light Special - I need tea. And possibly something a bit stronger, which I don't have, for the shame of it.

VJsmum

Whilst we aren't full, the bits where the jobs are appear to be and our benefits system is stretched to !!!!!!y. But then by far the biggest call on our benefits is the pensions - was it here that someone said about how old age pensions started?

The basic state pension, then known as the "Old Age Pension" was introduced in the United Kingdom (which included all of Ireland at that time) in January 1909. A pension of 5 shillings per week (25p, equivalent, using the Consumer Price Index, to £22 in present day terms),[4] or 7s.6d per week (equivalent to £33 today) for a married couple, was payable to a person with an income below £21 per annum (equivalent to £1900 today), following the passage of the Old Age Pensions Act 1908. The qualifying age was 70, and the pensions were subject to a means test.

Obviously not many people got to age 70 at that time so there wasn't such a burden.

I don't know what the solution is. Send them all back? Then what?

I do, however, believe the access to benefits should be restricted.

Edit - well said, Nargleblast - but many people don't appear to have the same values. Regrettably

Nargleblast

I remember reading about the first version of National Insurance contributions, which I think started just before WW1, when working men had a sum deducted from their wages to help cover the cost of any medical treatment they or their families might need. It was a brilliant idea but sadly doomed to failure because in those days working people had a shorter life expectancy, so were less likely to make frequent demands on health services. Now we are all living longer, the health of the people is generally a lot better (aside from the lifestyle-inflicted diseases and health problems we see nowadays) and conditions which killed people years ago are now treated so that those people go on to a ripe old age - but what quality of old age? Reduced mobility, reduced ability to feed themselves or attend to their own hygiene needs, having to take multitudes of medications just to stay alive, and not having the family support that was available years ago when families lived closer together. And of course, the cost of health care has rocketed with the increased demands of the population. What the answer is I do not know, but I am trying to impress on my offspring the importance of taking care of their health and being sensible with their money. Hopefully some of it will get through!