Forum Topic

Mother of Seven will appear at magistrates court on Thursday

Good !

Andy Wright ● 5553d29 Comments

George,The pass mark% is not high and the test can be taken as many times as it takes to pass.

Keith Iddon ● 5549d

Because there are few people left who believe that integration in the UK does not matter.

George Knox ● 5549d

Asylum seekers do get interviewed and sometimes more than once if there is some doubt. Border staff tend to take a pretty jaundiced view as they have heard every trick in the book. On the other hand asylum seekers tend to get briefed before they get here and have their story prepared. However if you are genuinely escaping from real torture etc, you yourself are going to get yourself briefed as well as possible if you value your life.Notes are made by the authorities and the asylum seeker puts his mark on the document, but if you don't speak the language you cannot expect a written statement actually done by an asylum seeker. Asylum seekers are forbidden to work until they get appropriate leave. It is not easy for any one to prove they will be self supporting and the interview is not about how they intend to be self supporting especially if they cannot speak the language. They may be asked if they have funds, but how many have that? They are often penniless and escaping tyranny. Asylum is not about sending people back simply because they cannot support themselves.Unless you are a Master Mind type you are wrong to say the English test is not that difficult. I have seen a room full of very well educated professionals stumped by some of the questions. It is particularly diffcult for some who come from a very different culture - starting with Somalia as an example where there is no government or structures that you would recognise in this country. If you want to have an opinion on the process I suggest you volunteer at a reception centre just for a short time to see how you could come up with some new suggestions. Believe me, some very experienced minds have tried.

George Knox ● 5549d

It never ceases to amaze me how even though these people mIlking  the benefit system  have no knowledge of English language or  British culture  yet they have vast expert knowledge  of the claims procedures....far more knowledgable than many born and bred here. Having so many children gives them passports to more and more benefits....AT MY EXPENSE !!!

Marie Anne OConnell ● 5549d

Just one daughter..... all grown up.

Andy Wright ● 5549d

George,I know all about the English test and it's not that difficult.It's also hardly the sign of any real intention of integration.What would be better would be if it went with a written statement and an interview and evidence of an intention to be self supporting.Is that unreasonable.

Keith Iddon ● 5549d

Is it possible that the other 28,000,000 people in Afghanistan can come here and claim benefits?  After all, Afghansistan is a dangerous place to live and it doesn't seem to matter what side you are on, you still get blown up.  Much safer, more economic and certainly better health benefits here in the UK paid for by someone else.

Charles Campbell ● 5549d

"The ability to speak English should be a requirement for entry before arriving....ggggrrrr"Why? The ability to speak Hindi is not a requirement for English people entering India.

Robin Taylor ● 5549d

See third thread. By the time the case gets to Court the following will applyhttp://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_192415A bit different to £12,000 per month.And what is your point?

George Knox ● 5549d

I note that no one has mentioned that this woman is charged with false representation and irrespective of entitlement has, if found guilty, broken the law.

Jim Louten ● 5549d

I don’t object to new rent controls. What I do object to is disrupting families and all the social consequences which flow from that. I object to retrospective legislation which is fundamentally against the British sense of justice and is deeply enshrined in the minds of law makers. The law should only apply to new applicants for HB. But I do think that London is too overcrowded and that it should be easier to move people out to cheaper areas.Yes I have seen the English test book and there are many many questions which many Englishmen cannot answer without research. I think these books are available in Smiths should you be interested.It is a knee jerk reaction to complain about asylum seekers who have a different culture which includes having large families. I would say it is an opinion which appeals to nationalists. You either accept the difficult consequences of accepting asylum seekers or you don’t.What I am waiting for is an explanation as to whether our benefits system is a soft touch THESE DAYS. To do that someone needs to have a good knowledge of the benefits systems in other European countries. I have yet to meet that person. Until I know, you and I cannot indulge in the common prejudice so beloved by nationalists that the system here is softer. This country is not ready to decide whether seven children is too great. Otherwise we would have the laudable Chinese approach. How many siblings are there in your family?

George Knox ● 5549d

Have you seen the test George?I think you are branding people nationalists as if it were a crime to object to perceived liberties being taken by people who have no real interest in our traditions and culture and would not be here were it not for welfare benefits.Holland invited many to leave and a lot of them came here as it is an easier touch,so to speak.To come here then have 7 kids when you have no means to support them can't be right and calling that attitude nationalistic is your choice but misses the point.In the past when people had large families there was not an expectation that the state would keep them.There has to be some legislation regarding levels of rent that landlords are allowed to charge.

Keith Iddon ● 5549d

The rules have changed and if you want indefinite leave to remain here then you have first to satisfy the English test. Pity the labour Government did not bring in this law 13 years ago. The mother at least would have then been made aware of family planning. Also Indefinite Leave can be lost if a criminal offence is committed. So there are more restrictions than some Daily Mail readers know about and so less real grounds to be so nationalistic.What I don't know about this saga is whether the Council could have reversed its HB decision and moved the family into cheaper accommodation.I have also seen a suggestion on the internet that when comparing Acton rents (and this process takes in quite a wide geographical area) then rents in Westminster were likely to have been included in the comparisons by the Rent Officer. Not because he wanted to but because he had to.If that is true then this law needs changing. However the forthcoming new HB ceiling of £400 per week presumambly means the family will have to move and perhaps or probably be split up. That may satisfy the nationalists - but not the proponents of family cohesion (which you know has always been the Tory mantra).If you believe in having an asylum system then you have to accept the culture which comes with it. If you don't accept, then you have to have a law which restricts the number of children a mother may have.People seem to forget that we used to have large families in this country. The change to the nuclear family did not happen overnight.The landlord in Acton must be scratching his head. When this family goes he will find today that 7 bed houses in Acton do not appear to be commanding the same high level of rent as agreed for HB by the Council.

George Knox ● 5550d

Which government,and what kind of help?.You are wrong about Sweden,btw.

Keith Iddon ● 5550d

Why on earth should anyone be "provided" with an English language course !!!!!(even more cost to the taxpayers)The ability to speak English should be a requirement for entry before arriving....ggggrrrr

Marie Anne OConnell ● 5550d

Well said Kirsty! and Keith, no, refugees do not need to speak the language of the country they are asking for asylum in, not Holland nor Sweden. The housing benefit system allowed this woman and many others to claim these silly amounts and the people who are getting rich are the landlords. Also can you remember what is going on in Afghanistan? Or do you not read or see the news. One you may need some help yourselves from the government.

Jaz Brown ● 5550d

Other countries(Sweden and I think Holland)have the 'learn the language rule' before benefits are granted.For those who can't be bothered,it's good old blighty,or what's left of it.

Keith Iddon ● 5550d

Marie Anne why don't you head over to the Daily Mail's website where you can hang out with other racist nationalists?

Kirsty Murdoch ● 5550d

Actually you have a good point about jobseekers allowance in that the ability to work is enhanced by language skills. if someone signs on they should perhaps have a compulsory english language course provided if they lack english so that on completion they canm recieve benefits whilst looking for a job. language is a bar to progress and those people that want to get on and make a good life will always be motivated to learn a language

Peter Chadburn ● 5550d

Anyone coming here should not be allowed entry or claim benefits unless they speak English.It's insulting to us that they can't bother to learn our language..which is a requirement in other countries.Just goes to prove that they come here for the free handouts.....

Marie Anne OConnell ● 5550d

No speak English,no job.No job,benefits thankyou very much.Simples innit?

Keith Iddon ● 5550d

Yes my comment was an aside about the lack of english. however there are other people who are living in  poverty unlike this family so why so much money when others really struggle????

Peter Chadburn ● 5550d

Poverty?

Keith Iddon ● 5550d

Obviously she has had help otherwise she would not have got so much in benefits. The lack of the english language is the key to remaining in poverty for many people. however she does not appear to be living in poverty.

Peter Chadburn ● 5550d

Raising children, especially seven, is an extremely difficult task. I hardly believe that a proportionately small economic reward is enough to prompt women into having children. The woman doesn't speak English and as such she's unlikely to be able to work, perhaps does not understand the law surrounding claiming benefits and it's probably very difficult for her to go and speak to a doctor about contraception. If I had seven kids I'd be trying to get as much help as I could.

Kirsty Murdoch ● 5550d

Probably not Kirsty.But if he did he probably wouldn't expect everyone else to pay for their upbringing.Are these children or are they part of a 'benefits pyramid scheme'(Thankyou Al Murray)

Keith Iddon ● 5550d

Andy have you got seven children?

Kirsty Murdoch ● 5550d

http://www.ealinggazette.co.uk/ealing-news/local-ealing-news/2011/01/27/woman-accused-of-being-benefit-cheat-64767-28066805/She pleaded not guilty.

George Knox ● 5552d

And what do you think will happen?

Keith Iddon ● 5553d