4 ms·

To the last point: until their claim is processed in the UK, which can take years, they have no right to work and have to rely on meagre public handouts or work

To the last point: until their claim is processed in the UK, which can take years, they have no right to work and have to rely on meagre public handouts or work under the table to survive. This makes them a drain on taxpayers despite being able to support themselves if they were allowed, and paid employment promotes integration. I think it stays the way it is because of "taking the jobs" of natives and it also allows politicians to demonize them as a drain on the public purse (which they are but through no fault of their own) as a distraction/othering.

LawTalkingGuy 4y ago
> This makes them a drain on taxpayers despite being able to support themselves if they were allowed I hear this from people who seem to be promoting using the system as a back-door way into a permanent work visa. I'd rather avoid perverse incentives and just support people. > I think it stays the way it is because of "taking the jobs" of natives This sounds like something a privileged knowledge worker can sneer at the low-brows for. I think it's as valid a consideration as any other import/tariff type issue and should be examined honestly. Again though, we can avoid the issue by simply paying to help refugees and that's probably the kindest. If we allow them to work then we're essentially requiring them to work and if they just escaped with their lives they probably have other priorities for a while. The economic benefit for us from more workers is minimal enough that we can forego it to make a better and less exploitative system. > allows politicians to demonize them as a drain on the public purse I think there are enough obviously false claims that people are upset about that they're not worried about the costs of the honest claimants.