15 July 2023 , 20:58
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Some people may not want refugees camped on their doorsteps. Yet with 13,000 crossing the Channel so far this year, they have to go somewhere.
But as ministers battle local objections they must also show compassion and understanding in the choice of locations. Otherwise, they inflict additional suffering on those who have already been left terror-stricken by the wars raging in the countries from which they fled.
That is why it is mindless cruelty to site a holding camp between two shooting clubs in Wethersfield, Essex. When the first 50 of 1,700 refugees arrived on Wednesday, they were greeted by the sound of gunfire. What ghastly memories that must have provoked.
THe Government must get a grip on the cruelty of the asylum system (AFP via Getty Images)Of course the boats should be stopped. But Rishi Sunak cannot pin his hopes on Rwanda as the deterrent. Even if the Supreme Court does give the go-ahead, flights cannot begin until January.
The Prime Minister should instead be negotiating new returns agreements with EU countries lost through Brexit. Our recent agreement with Albania cut arrivals by 90%.
UK and EU reach customs deal that could end Northern Ireland logjam, says report
And he must end the asylum system that only allows claims to be made on British soil – which is the biggest draw for Channel crossers. Allowing those already here to be further traumatised by clay pigeon shooters will only add to his headaches.
Home a groan
For many first-time buyers, hopes of owning a home are slipping away as fast as mortgage rates are rising. Two-year fixed term deals are now at eye-watering levels last seen during the 2008 financial crash.
But the latest blow to those who dream of buying bricks and mortar is a real shocker. Labour calculates the deposit needed to achieve the same monthly repayments as last year has more than trebled to £102,000.
That puts home ownership further out of reach, especially when the hopeful are being hammered by higher rents.
More new builds would bring prices down but the Tories have reneged on their pledge of an extra 300,000 homes a year because mandatory targets are now merely advisory. And to make matters worse, Help to Buy is ending.
First-timers will never climb the property ladder if most of the rungs are missing.