The Urgent Need to Address Illegal Immigration

Taxpayers are investing millions of pounds to provide "at home" medical assessments for asylum seekers in hotels, while countless British patients endure lengthy NHS waiting times. An investigation by the Daily Express has revealed that the surge in migration since 2021 has compelled the health service to establish agreements with local GP practices nationwide.

In Sussex, the NHS received less than four weeks' notice to deliver health services to 1,000 asylum seekers, a figure that later escalated to nearly 3,000 migrants in areas such as Brighton, Crawley, Eastbourne, and Hastings. A coalition of local GP practices in Cheshire obtained a £132,000 contract to offer "at-home" care for migrants in Halton, even as elderly patients at some clinics face appointment delays of up to a month.

In August, Leicestershire entered into a £19.8 million, ten-year agreement with The Inclusion Group to provide services for asylum seekers and individuals unable to access their local GP. Additionally, the South West London NHS board awarded a £47 million, two-year contract in 2022 to care for asylum seekers and the homeless in Merton and Wandsworth.

William Yarwood, media campaign manager at the TaxPayers' Alliance, remarked, "Taxpayers will be appalled to see the level of access illegal migrants have to our healthcare system. While millions languish on NHS waiting lists, illegal migrants are receiving 'at home care' in their hotels."

Retired tiler Jack Jones, 80, expressed his frustration outside Brookvale Practice in Runcorn, stating, "Someone needs to wake up and address the issues within the NHS. They can't even assist the patients already registered... They claim there is no funding, yet they spend thousands on these asylum seekers."

At Grove House surgery, patient Mike Hague, 69, added, "We are already stretched thin. We receive nothing in return from these asylum seekers. The saying 'charity begins at home' is an old adage, but it holds true."

Illegal immigration is a complex and contentious issue that affects countries worldwide. While immigration itself can bring economic growth, illegal immigration is the opposite and poses significant challenges that need to be addressed urgently.

The Impact of Illegal Immigration

1. Economic Strain: Illegal immigration can place a heavy burden on a country's economy. Public services such as healthcare, education, and social welfare systems can become overwhelmed, leading to increased costs for taxpayers.
2. Security Concerns: Unregulated immigration can pose security risks. Without proper documentation and background checks, it becomes difficult to ensure that individuals entering the country do not pose a threat to national security.
3. Labour Market Disruption: Illegal immigration can disrupt the labour market by creating unfair competition for jobs. Employers may exploit undocumented workers by paying them lower wages, which can undermine labour standards and negatively impact local workers.
4. Social Integration Challenges: Integrating undocumented immigrants into society can be challenging. Language barriers, cultural differences, and lack of legal status can hinder their ability to fully participate in and contribute to the community.

Enhancing Border Security: It is crucial to bolster border security to deter illegal immigration. This can be achieved through investments in cutting-edge technology, increasing the number of patrols, and upgrading infrastructure at border entry points. Additionally, deploying the Royal Navy to monitor the Channel could be considered, especially since historical challenges, such as those faced during World War II, were not overcome. Meanwhile, illegal migrants seem to navigate these waters with relative ease, receiving generous accommodations, while our elderly population faces significant hardships, as highlighted by recent internal reports. Are we truly prepared to allow this situation to persist? My great-grandfather, who sacrificed his life in the war, would undoubtedly be questioning the purpose of his sacrifice in light of these developments.