I watched this programme today which was being televised from Shrewsbury , UK . Just have to say what a farcical programme . The only person on the panel who talked any sense and the truth was the Reform chairman Zia Yusuf . Are the audience hand picked ? they mostly seemed biased against Yusuf but clapped the incredulous ex hypnotherapist Green party leader Zak Polanski . It appears that all other parties are condemning the Reform party who are the most popular political party in the UK . Polanski could not accept that there was a correlation with the  out of control UK immigration ,  over burdening the NHS , causing housing shortages and increasing crime rates . In fact he stated that he welcomed immigration for the UK .

                                 The UK has some questionable politicians so can the UK survive another 4 years especially with this terrible Labour government ?

BBC Question Time has been unwatchable since Fiona Bruce took over.  It seems to have a love affair with Reform, who only have 5 members of parliament.  

6 hours ago, superal said:

I watched this programme today which was being televised from Shrewsbury , UK . Just have to say what a farcical programme . The only person on the panel who talked any sense and the truth was the Reform chairman Zia Yusuf . Are the audience hand picked ? they mostly seemed biased against Yusuf but clapped the incredulous ex hypnotherapist Green party leader Zak Polanski . It appears that all other parties are condemning the Reform party who are the most popular political party in the UK . Polanski could not accept that there was a correlation with the  out of control UK immigration ,  over burdening the NHS , causing housing shortages and increasing crime rates . In fact he stated that he welcomed immigration for the UK .

                                 The UK has some questionable politicians so can the UK survive another 4 years especially with this terrible Labour government ?

 

According to the BBC, "(QT) audience members are selected by the 'audience producer' based on age, gender, occupation, ethnicity, disability status, voting intention, voting history, and party membership" in an attempt to get a balance.

 

I didn't see last night's episode but I think that Yusuf is a very polished performer. However, imo Reform's economic policies make Liz Trusses' look prudent: Polanski's policies - economic and otherwise - are almost entirely barmy.

 

Unless Putin decides to blow up all to kingdom come, the UK will still be around in 4 years time although it remains to be seen precisely what state it will be in.

5 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

BBC Question Time has been unwatchable since Fiona Bruce took over.  It seems to have a love affair with Reform, who only have 5 members of parliament.  

 

I agree, Fiona Bruce is dreadful. Alex Forsyth does an excellent job chairing Radio 4's 'Any Questions'. I'd like to see her on QT.

6 hours ago, superal said:

I watched this programme today which was being televised from Shrewsbury , UK . Just have to say what a farcical programme . The only person on the panel who talked any sense and the truth was the Reform chairman Zia Yusuf . Are the audience hand picked ? they mostly seemed biased against Yusuf but clapped the incredulous ex hypnotherapist Green party leader Zak Polanski . It appears that all other parties are condemning the Reform party who are the most popular political party in the UK . Polanski could not accept that there was a correlation with the  out of control UK immigration ,  over burdening the NHS , causing housing shortages and increasing crime rates . In fact he stated that he welcomed immigration for the UK .

                                 The UK has some questionable politicians so can the UK survive another 4 years especially with this terrible Labour government ?

I think it was an audience with common sense and a higher IQ obviously. They were able to identify populiststic narratives and lies.

7 hours ago, superal said:

I watched this programme today which was being televised from Shrewsbury , UK . Just have to say what a farcical programme . The only person on the panel who talked any sense and the truth was the Reform chairman Zia Yusuf . Are the audience hand picked ? they mostly seemed biased against Yusuf but clapped the incredulous ex hypnotherapist Green party leader Zak Polanski . It appears that all other parties are condemning the Reform party who are the most popular political party in the UK . Polanski could not accept that there was a correlation with the  out of control UK immigration ,  over burdening the NHS , causing housing shortages and increasing crime rates . In fact he stated that he welcomed immigration for the UK .

                                 The UK has some questionable politicians so can the UK survive another 4 years especially with this terrible Labour government ?

Immigration to UK is mostly legal. They are net contributors to the UK economy, not  burdens.

 

Legal immigrants come in 3 categories. Workers, Students and family members.

 

All of those categories have to pay the IHS surcharge to use NHS. That's currently £1025 a year.

 

Those that come to work need a sponsor (employer), offering a job and accommodation. Not a burden on housing as the properties they live in are empty when they arrive. No evictions no one else wishing to live there. Employers also tend to house employees in properties similar to HMOs, 4 or 5 to a property. They will be paying NI and tax on top of the IHS supplement. 

 

Those that come as family members need a sponsor with an address. If they decide to work too, they will pay NI and Tax on top of the IHS payment.

 

Bearing in mind, many of those in the above groups work in Healthcare and Social Care, they are much more an asset to NHS rather than a burden.

 

Students need an invitation from an education establishment, with accommodation.

 

Increase in crime? Do you really think legal migrants are committing crimes?

 

My point? People need to understand the difference between illegal migrants, asylum seekers and legal migrants. 

 

An Afghan migrant has been found guilty of making a threat to kill Reform UK leader Nigel Farage in a viral TikTok video.

Fayaz Khan, 26, posted a video in October last year which concluded with the words: “I’m coming to England. I’m going to pop, pop, pop.”

Farage had posted his own video on YouTube, entitled “the journey of an illegal migrant”, which highlighted Khan and referenced “young males of fighting age coming into our country about whom we know very little”.

In his response video, Khan said: “Englishman Nigel, don’t talk <deleted> about me.

“You not know me. I come to England because I want to marry with your sister. You not know me.

On 10/10/2025 at 9:16 PM, 3NUMBAS said:

An Afghan migrant has been found guilty of making a threat to kill Reform UK leader Nigel Farage in a viral TikTok video.

Fayaz Khan, 26, posted a video in October last year which concluded with the words: “I’m coming to England. I’m going to pop, pop, pop.”

Farage had posted his own video on YouTube, entitled “the journey of an illegal migrant”, which highlighted Khan and referenced “young males of fighting age coming into our country about whom we know very little”.

In his response video, Khan said: “Englishman Nigel, don’t talk <deleted> about me.

“You not know me. I come to England because I want to marry with your sister. You not know me.

Update . Khan was found guilty of threatening to kill Farage and will be sentenced on October 14th .

On 10/10/2025 at 6:51 PM, youreavinalaff said:

Immigration to UK is mostly legal. They are net contributors to the UK economy, not  burdens.

 

Legal immigrants come in 3 categories. Workers, Students and family members.

 

All of those categories have to pay the IHS surcharge to use NHS. That's currently £1025 a year.

 

Those that come to work need a sponsor (employer), offering a job and accommodation. Not a burden on housing as the properties they live in are empty when they arrive. No evictions no one else wishing to live there. Employers also tend to house employees in properties similar to HMOs, 4 or 5 to a property. They will be paying NI and tax on top of the IHS supplement. 

 

Those that come as family members need a sponsor with an address. If they decide to work too, they will pay NI and Tax on top of the IHS payment.

 

Bearing in mind, many of those in the above groups work in Healthcare and Social Care, they are much more an asset to NHS rather than a burden.

 

Students need an invitation from an education establishment, with accommodation.

 

Increase in crime? Do you really think legal migrants are committing crimes?

 

My point? People need to understand the difference between illegal migrants, asylum seekers and legal migrants. 

 

VERY good post.

However, many here on AN don't or don't want to understand.

On 10/10/2025 at 6:51 PM, youreavinalaff said:

Immigration to UK is mostly legal. They are net contributors to the UK economy, not  burdens.

 

Legal immigrants come in 3 categories. Workers, Students and family members.

 

All of those categories have to pay the IHS surcharge to use NHS. That's currently £1025 a year.

 

Those that come to work need a sponsor (employer), offering a job and accommodation. Not a burden on housing as the properties they live in are empty when they arrive. No evictions no one else wishing to live there. Employers also tend to house employees in properties similar to HMOs, 4 or 5 to a property. They will be paying NI and tax on top of the IHS supplement. 

 

Those that come as family members need a sponsor with an address. If they decide to work too, they will pay NI and Tax on top of the IHS payment.

 

Bearing in mind, many of those in the above groups work in Healthcare and Social Care, they are much more an asset to NHS rather than a burden.

 

Students need an invitation from an education establishment, with accommodation.

 

Increase in crime? Do you really think legal migrants are committing crimes?

 

My point? People need to understand the difference between illegal migrants, asylum seekers and legal migrants. 

 

 

 

Excellent post.

 

I think categories 1 and 2 are clear cut and should be capable of being properly managed by the UK authorities. Whilst the system does need a overhaul the fundamentals are fairly sound. Tweaking required - for example, I don't think it is fair that your wife works and pays NIC's but still has to pay the IHS...... that is a double whammy. The IHS is a good idea but if a legal immigrant pays that, they shouldn't pay NIC's in the period that they are paying IHS.

 

I think family members are more of a grey area.

 

I am totally against illegal immigration and would support Farage's policies. I believe that legal immigration has helped to enrich and diversify UK culture - but it has gone too far. When an immigrant population is growing faster than the indigenous population then something is wrong. I point again to Thailand as an example....how do they ensure that their culture is maintained ? They have a firm, but fair, immigration policy where no alien is allowed any benefits (unless they are working within the system).

On 10/10/2025 at 6:51 PM, youreavinalaff said:

Immigration to UK is mostly legal. They are net contributors to the UK economy, not  burdens.

 

Legal immigrants come in 3 categories. Workers, Students and family members.

 

All of those categories have to pay the IHS surcharge to use NHS. That's currently £1025 a year.

 

Those that come to work need a sponsor (employer), offering a job and accommodation. Not a burden on housing as the properties they live in are empty when they arrive. No evictions no one else wishing to live there. Employers also tend to house employees in properties similar to HMOs, 4 or 5 to a property. They will be paying NI and tax on top of the IHS supplement. 

 

Those that come as family members need a sponsor with an address. If they decide to work too, they will pay NI and Tax on top of the IHS payment.

 

Bearing in mind, many of those in the above groups work in Healthcare and Social Care, they are much more an asset to NHS rather than a burden.

 

Students need an invitation from an education establishment, with accommodation.

 

Increase in crime? Do you really think legal migrants are committing crimes?

 

My point? People need to understand the difference between illegal migrants, asylum seekers and legal migrants. 

 

50 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

Excellent post.

 

I think categories 1 and 2 are clear cut and should be capable of being properly managed by the UK authorities. Whilst the system does need a overhaul the fundamentals are fairly sound. Tweaking required - for example, I don't think it is fair that your wife works and pays NIC's but still has to pay the IHS...... that is a double whammy. The IHS is a good idea but if a legal immigrant pays that, they shouldn't pay NIC's in the period that they are paying IHS.

 

I think family members are more of a grey area.

 

I am totally against illegal immigration and would support Farage's policies. I believe that legal immigration has helped to enrich and diversify UK culture - but it has gone too far. When an immigrant population is growing faster than the indigenous population then something is wrong. I point again to Thailand as an example....how do they ensure that their culture is maintained ? They have a firm, but fair, immigration policy where no alien is allowed any benefits (unless they are working within the system).

I agree with your last paragraph . However it is no secret that UK immigrants are often employed as cheap labour or become employed by a company that only employs people of their own race .

Many foreign trained doctors are taking jobs in the N.H.S. and leaving many UK newly qualified trained doctors without a job . Where is the logic in that ?

 

Tory MP Robert Jenrick was speaking the factual truth about " no white faces ". Most immigrants have no intention of integrating but will create a housing district of their own race occupiers .

The right-wing in the UK has a huge problem with colour. mainly not being white, end of story.

18 minutes ago, Jeff the Chef said:

The right-wing in the UK has a huge problem with colour. mainly not being white, end of story.

 

   That was about 60 years go when racism was rife in the UK .

That gradually changed over the years and its now just a few extremists who are still racist

1 hour ago, superal said:

I agree with your last paragraph . However it is no secret that UK immigrants are often employed as cheap labour or become employed by a company that only employs people of their own race .

Many foreign trained doctors are taking jobs in the N.H.S. and leaving many UK newly qualified trained doctors without a job . Where is the logic in that ?

 

Tory MP Robert Jenrick was speaking the factual truth about " no white faces ". Most immigrants have no intention of integrating but will create a housing district of their own race occupiers .

Cheap labour cannot occur with legal migration. There are salary requirements within the application process.

 

Job vacancies in UK currently out number the unemployed. NHS are screaming for staff at all levels. 

 

I can't say I've ever seen a company that only employes their own race, orher than historical "whites only" places.

 

Historically, immigrants have stuck together. Basically because they had to through fear. Cities were segregated in the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s because ethnic minorities stuck with their own backgrounds for safety. Look at areas of London as examples. Streatham, Brixton, Golders Green. The minorities didn't segregate themselves by choice. That appears to have continued.

2 hours ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

Excellent post.

 

I think categories 1 and 2 are clear cut and should be capable of being properly managed by the UK authorities. Whilst the system does need a overhaul the fundamentals are fairly sound. Tweaking required - for example, I don't think it is fair that your wife works and pays NIC's but still has to pay the IHS...... that is a double whammy. The IHS is a good idea but if a legal immigrant pays that, they shouldn't pay NIC's in the period that they are paying IHS.

 

I think family members are more of a grey area.

 

I am totally against illegal immigration and would support Farage's policies. I believe that legal immigration has helped to enrich and diversify UK culture - but it has gone too far. When an immigrant population is growing faster than the indigenous population then something is wrong. I point again to Thailand as an example....how do they ensure that their culture is maintained ? They have a firm, but fair, immigration policy where no alien is allowed any benefits (unless they are working within the system).

I agree. 

 

Measures are being taken. Students can no longer bring family. I believe Teir2 visa holders too.

 

I think Reform's policies can be used but need to be watered down. I don't believe it's right to cancel ILR, particularly for those that already have it. It would be simpler to have a timescale as to if and when those on ILR can claim benefits. 

 

That in itself is possibly controversial and is likely to have it's opponents. I'm sure some will suggest it's unfair and/or discriminatory. Something like " ILR holders have been in UK for at least 5.5 years. If they've been working they should be entitled to claim benefits. What about the British citizens who have never worked in their life but can claim?". Others will simply say "no benefits unless British citizen". Another can of worms there too as the next question is define "British Citizen". I've seen posts on social media ranging from "Born in UK and White" to "Anyone with a British Passport".

 

There are so many difficult situations here. What's the answer? I think the government need to treat issues more on an individual basis. It's not fair for those that work hard, have family, have never been in trouble, never have and never intend to claim benefits, to need to worry everytime a visa application is due. 

 

Should, as an example, someone who is working and living in UK, paying tax and NI, and has been married to a British citizen for 25 years have an easier route to citizenship than someone whose single, been in UK 5.5 years and has just received ILR?

 

Oh, and overhaul the Life in UK test. I'm all for integration and immigrants needing to understand British culture but do they really need to know about Oliver Cromwell, Guy Fawkes and the number of jurors in a Scottish court? (As examples). 😁😁

39 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   That was about 60 years go when racism was rife in the UK .

That gradually changed over the years and its now just a few extremists who are still racist

Not only a few. Quite a lot. Still not as bad as 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s but it's there and, due to so much misinformation on social media, it's growing.

1 hour ago, youreavinalaff said:

Cheap labour cannot occur with legal migration. There are salary requirements within the application process.

 

Job vacancies in UK currently out number the unemployed. NHS are screaming for staff at all levels. 

 

I can't say I've ever seen a company that only employes their own race, orher than historical "whites only" places.

 

Historically, immigrants have stuck together. Basically because they had to through fear. Cities were segregated in the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s because ethnic minorities stuck with their own backgrounds for safety. Look at areas of London as examples. Streatham, Brixton, Golders Green. The minorities didn't segregate themselves by choice. That appears to have continued.

Wrong . Do some research on newly qualified UK doctors who cannot get jobs . Fact - the NHS budget does not enable any more employment . Crazy when considering the growing waiting list for treatment .

Cheap labour does occur especially when using illegal immigrants and the amount of illegal immigrants in the UK is difficult to tell but estimates go as high as 1.2 million . Below is part of a statement by the Migration Watch UK .

 

• Social change - The scale and speed of immigration is leading to rapid cultural and societal change, with some areas of our country changing beyond recognition in a very short space of time. In May 2025, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer referred to the risk of our country becoming an "island of strangers"
• Public services - Mass immigration places intolerable pressure on already-overstretched public services. Between 2010 and 2022 there were nearly 7 million new GP registrations by migrants. Record immigration requires a home to be built in England every five minutes to meet the skyrocketing demand for homes.
• Economic stress - An extensive body of research has consistently found that immigration is a huge cost to the UK Treasury - £13bn in 2014. Non-EU immigration, which is presently the fastest rising tranche of immigration, has the biggest fiscal costs.
• Public opinion - Polling regularly finds that the British public wants immigration to be lower than it currently is - and in fact the average person does not realise the current scale of mass immigration.
  • Demos found in 2018 that about three-quarters of the public considered that immigration had increased divisions.
  • Politicians’ repeated promises to reduce and control immigration have been blatantly abandoned and betrayed, harming voter trust and democracy itself.

9 minutes ago, superal said:

Cheap labour does occur especially when using illegal immigrants

The conversations I'm having here are about legal immigration.

 

Illegal immigrants don't get jobs as doctors. They work under the radar mostly doing jobs no one else wants to do.

 

You said overseas doctors are being employed ahead of British trained doctors. Now you say they are not recruiting. Contradiction.

 

Legal migration is anything but a burden. Visa fees are through the roof, currently £3500+ for FLR and £3000+ for ILR. Hardly a burden.

 

Like I said in my first comment. People need to understand the differences in immigration status.

On 10/10/2025 at 5:18 AM, superal said:

The only person on the panel who talked any sense and the truth was the Reform chairman Zia Yusuf

you mean the only person you agreed with....

On 10/12/2025 at 11:43 AM, Jeff the Chef said:

The right-wing in the UK has a huge problem with colour. mainly not being white, end of story.

 

It wasn't that long ago that the 'right-wing' were complaining about mass immigration of Eastern Europeans. They're the whitest people on the planet 🤔

3 hours ago, GanDoonToonPet said:

 

It wasn't that long ago that the 'right-wing' were complaining about mass immigration of Eastern Europeans. They're the whitest people on the planet 🤔

 

Yes, hence Brexit, in the UK from Europe, supposedly taking our jobs that we didn't want to do.

16 hours ago, kwilco said:

you mean the only person you agreed with....

No , he was the only panelist that spoke sense and quoted O.N.S. facts . Any way , who in their right mind would vote for Labour ? answer = traditional voters who only ever vote Labour because their families only vote Labour and have done for many years . Sorry to say but the Tories will be out of the picture for some time to come . The Libs and Green are a total loss . Reform are the only party that are in touch with the majority of the UK public .  

3 hours ago, superal said:

No , he was the only panelist that spoke sense and quoted O.N.S. facts . Any way , who in their right mind would vote for Labour ? answer = traditional voters who only ever vote Labour because their families only vote Labour and have done for many years . Sorry to say but the Tories will be out of the picture for some time to come . The Libs and Green are a total loss . Reform are the only party that are in touch with the majority of the UK public .  

 the only person you agreed with..!!

look familiR?

20 hours ago, superal said:

 Reform are the only party that are in touch with the majority of the UK public .  

Maybe the majority of people who have no idea how the economy works. 

 

Anyone with even a fundamental knowledge of how it works will not vote Reform. 

On 10/16/2025 at 1:34 PM, youreavinalaff said:

Maybe the majority of people who have no idea how the economy works. 

 

Anyone with even a fundamental knowledge of how it works will not vote Reform. 

Please enlighten us 

On 10/15/2025 at 2:30 PM, kwilco said:

look familiR?

3 grunts! Some people clearly take it personally!

18 hours ago, superal said:

Please enlighten us 

Ok. Just two policies as that's all that's needed.

 

Wanting to raise the tax threshold to £20000 and minimum wage to £20 per hour.

On 10/22/2025 at 1:57 PM, youreavinalaff said:

Ok. Just two policies as that's all that's needed.

 

Wanting to raise the tax threshold to £20000 and minimum wage to £20 per hour.

And ?  Raising the minimum wage to £20000 would stop many " Universal Credit benefit claims ". Currently at 7 million claimants .  The raising of the tax threshold is long overdue . Workers and retirees having to pay income tax on  £13000 is obscene .

2 hours ago, superal said:

And ?  Raising the minimum wage to £20000 would stop many " Universal Credit benefit claims ". Currently at 7 million claimants .  The raising of the tax threshold is long overdue . Workers and retirees having to pay income tax on  £13000 is obscene .

You obviously lack an even fundamental knowledge of economics. 

 

Work out how much you think it would cost the government in tax receipts and how much of an effect it would have on inflation of basic items, then come back with the same argument.