Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Opinion

It's time to offer a safe route for asylum seekers arriving in boats

The government's policy on asylum seekers isn't working. This reader has a suggestion for how the UK can step up to prevent more drownings

People marching and holding a Care4Calais banner that says refugees welcome

March Against Racism in Central London, 2022. Image: Alisdare Hickson on Flickr, CC2.0

Solution not persecution. We, as a nation, have blood on our hands. Too many have drowned. We are incapable of management (the process of dealing with or controlling things, or people). We can stop the drownings, curb the gangs and recover some national pride. How about BIG BOATS? We hire Brittany Ferries, (that will please the French) and offer a SAFE route for asylum seekers.

In French ports we board people with any documentation. We process them on board. Obvious failures are disembarked. We then sail for the UK. We rotate the locations of dockings so that all these sad souls are not all dumped in Kent. Successful applicants will have access to funds to get them started in the UK, rather than refugees giving that money to organised crime gangs. By docking at several ports in turn in the UK, local government can have respite before it is their turn again.

By processing on board the boats there are no pinch points and whatever is required, such as fingerprinting or biometric identification can be carried out in comfort and safety. Unaccompanied children and those who were sex trafficked at some stage of their journey can be identified and given assistance by support groups. Job centre staff can match our migrants to job vacancies. I think we can look after the good people and dishearten the crooks, but only if we shout down the naysayers.

Chris Sames, North Yorkshire

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? We want to hear from you. Get in touch and tell us more.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

Do you know how Big Issue 'really' works?

Watch this simple explanation.

Recommended for you

View all
The UK can’t achieve growth and lower poverty with a million young people locked out of opportunity
young people with skateboards sat around on phones
Richard Rigby

The UK can’t achieve growth and lower poverty with a million young people locked out of opportunity

'Andy Burnham is right to make ending rough sleeping his first priority. Now comes the hard part'
Prime minister Andy Burnham arrives at 10 Downing Street
Paula Barker

'Andy Burnham is right to make ending rough sleeping his first priority. Now comes the hard part'

What has new prime minister Andy Burnham said about mental health?
Andy Burnham arriving at 10 Downing Street. Image: Kirsty O'Connor/ No 10 Downing Street
Alexa Knight

What has new prime minister Andy Burnham said about mental health?

Politicians decide how much universal credit is worth, not the cost of living. We can change it
Cost of living crisis
Baroness Ruth Lister

Politicians decide how much universal credit is worth, not the cost of living. We can change it