We've been up in Dundee most of today - bit of a significant 'family-event' ...... our destination (as was) is in the snap to the left.
Rather unbelievably, 'Junior' is off to University, and our Shandon flat is feeling rather quiet this evening :-(
I sense a period of serious re-adjustment on the immediate horizon!
12 comments:
You will have room for one or two refugees from Syria then.
Who is going to build the additional housing and infrastructures required to house thousands of refugees when we can not afford to build houses for the current homeless population ? Who is going to foot the bill when all we hear is cuts in our local and national services ?
What are the very rich Arab Nations doing to sort the problem on their door step ?
When the current welfare system of this country is on failing our own people and where some people are relying on foodbanks , how can we support more population ?
The rich Arab Nations are in a better placed to accommodate the numbers and and have similar cultures to what these people are use to. They would integrate better.
When you hear that 300,000 have arrived in southern European country. This amounts to a major invasion from Africa. There is enough people to hid a small army of terrorists from Islamic State. For the sake of National and European security is it wise to just open borders to let them in without vetting them first ? One becomes rather concerned when refugees are breaching barriers and not respecting the needs of European states to register or do any formal paperwork. There is an undue pressure from the refugees on countries to take them is without any consideration from them that they are guests in these countries and that these countries require to make adjustments to accommodate the numbers and respecting the decisions made by these countries as whether or not the stay or leave. They dont seem to even understand that individual countries may not be in a financial position to accommodate them.
How is the NHS going to cope with the influx when they are finding difficult as the stand just now ? How are the police going to cope ?
There is considerable begging on Princes Street as it is and will we have more ?
May be its time to take one of these hard decisions politicians like to talk about these days and say 'NO MORE' and let ensure that the regional authorities take responsibility for looking after these people.
Anonymous
I respect your view ...
... but really, no one is talking of "thousands" of refugees coming to Edinburgh. And of the few hundred that 'may' arrive here in Scotland, I would gladly (personally) help house a family.
Andrew
I was speaking about the national as well as the local level, big questions have to be asked
When there is a national shortage of housing where are they going to be housed ?
How can they be supported by a NHS which is struggling to support the existing population ?
How can the Welfare State afford to support them when it is failing the current population badly?
If they can't use the Welfare State do they then get priority over existing unemployed when applying for jobs via some form of special measures ?
If they get into trouble can the police, courts and prisons cope ?
When household incomes are low and people are struggling to budget , where are they going to find money to give to charities to support the refugees ? Some of the existing population are using food banks because the welfare state in FAILING.
The country is in debt to a Trillion pounds , so we are told , how can we afford to take on more population?
What are Rich Arab states doing to relive this situation across Europe ? Why is this government sending out taxpayer money to help the Syrian refugees when we can't fund our own services both national and locally ?
There are other nations whos culture match those seeking asylum and who are better place to house them , why is the UN not applying pressure on them to take them? Why Europe ?
I believe there are strong national security issues at stake here too
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/syria-crisis-wealthy-gulf-states-deny-famed-arab-hospitality-refugees-1518310
Anonymous
Thanks for the further comments ... all noted.
As I said, respect your viewpoint; but don't think the 'west' helping, should be dependent on and the 'east' helping.
Anyhow - thanks for checking the blog.
Andrew
The east and Africa should be making much more of an effort in helping their own people. Maybe it's the fact that they don't tolerate multiculturalism as we are being forced to accept.
When basic services are being stripped to the bone due to the 'lack of money' should the city council be using public resources which they 'say they don't have' into this problem ? Does the city council have a mandate from the people to use these resources when you can't afford the basics ?
I note that you have not even tried to answer any of the above questions. Typical politician.
Anonymous
Thanks for your further comment.
Apologies you don't feel I've answered your points ... but as I've said: I respect your viewpoint, but I simply disagree with the premise of your argument.
Of course we should help where we can - it's a matter of human compassion in the face of a humanitarian crisis.
Thanks again for checking the blog.
Andrew
I think what I am saying is yes do humanitarian aid in times of plenty but when you are in lots of debt yourself and when people here are needing help and when you are cutting services is it not time to question who else can provide that help ?
Refugees are not just for Christmas they do need the same ongoing services as we all need and that needs additional cash you keep saying you simply don't have.
Don't understand where the additional funding is magically going to appear from !!!!!!! begging in the streets ?
Anonymous
Additional funding is coming for these re-settlement schemes from both UK, and Scottish, Governments:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34148913
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-34164632
Andrew
In other words the poor taxpayer pays again !
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-34144333
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31933400
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-31543766
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-34138179
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-33539816
People here are in debt , the country is in debt and there is a massive housing shortage !!!!!!
Where are refugees going be housed , are they going to queue jump ?
Anonymous
Thanks for your further comment (although I'm not certain if you're the same person!) ...
... as I've indicated on several occasions now, I respect your viewpoint but disagree with you.
A report on this issue was agreed (on an all-Party basis) several months ago - long before the current publicity - and can be found here:
http://bit.ly/1hPgYy9
I hope you'll read it.
Edinburgh will help in the current crisis - and, as both Council Leader and a citizen of the Capital City, I'm proud of that fact.
Thanks again for checking the blog.
Andrew
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