Great piece Colin. I’ve never understood the “burden on the public” argument when applied to families and it makes even less sense when one of the spouses is a British national. I’ve never seen or heard a full explanation. Other than extreme examples, in what sense is a foreigner joining their British spouse and children creating a burden? They pay an NHS surcharge, they can’t claim benefits. If they are allowed to work they pay tax. The housing argument is spurious as the UK citizen would have to be housed anyway. Are they assuming we all just get divorced on arrival? There are so many more obvious ways to deal with the housing crisis than attacking mixed nationality families.
Same goes for school places. British kids in a British school aren’t taking a place away from anyone.
Colin- This is such an important topic. One that more people need to consider. I appreciate you sharing it.
Great piece Colin. I’ve never understood the “burden on the public” argument when applied to families and it makes even less sense when one of the spouses is a British national. I’ve never seen or heard a full explanation. Other than extreme examples, in what sense is a foreigner joining their British spouse and children creating a burden? They pay an NHS surcharge, they can’t claim benefits. If they are allowed to work they pay tax. The housing argument is spurious as the UK citizen would have to be housed anyway. Are they assuming we all just get divorced on arrival? There are so many more obvious ways to deal with the housing crisis than attacking mixed nationality families.
Same goes for school places. British kids in a British school aren’t taking a place away from anyone.
This government needs a bigger field.