ALL right minded people would have to have hearts of stone not to feel some compassion towards those unfortunate people of Syria who have been bombed out of their own country.
In spite of that, we have to be a little more hard-nosed in balancing our emotional response with the practicalities of accommodating these asylum seekers in the UK
It may well be that the Government will agree to several thousands of these being brought to the UK straight from the refugee camps at the Syrian borders.
Once in the UK they will fall under the Asylum Dispersal System whereby they will be spread around the country to areas which have over the last fifteen years volunteered to be designated as Asylum Dispersal Areas.
Bolton is one of these amongst several other towns in Greater Manchester.
Currently one in four Asylum seekers (7,407) are located in the North West. Of these Bolton accommodates 931 asylum seekers (not including dependents) whilst Rochdale has 984, Manchester 934, Salford and Wigan 592 each and Bury only 381.
This compares with 2,355 in the whole of Wales, 2,649 in the whole of Scotland and only 809 in the whole of the South West of England.
Considering that each asylum seeker requires housing, health provision and, in the case of children, education provision, all of which are already under pressure in the borough and considering as well as the fact that Bolton already ranks high in the league tables of deprivation, then further thought must be given as to whether the town can afford to accommodate any more.
Bolton Council owes its first duty to the settled population of the borough particularly those on housing waiting lists, those who cannot get their children into their first choice of school and those who struggle to get early GP appointments and hospital treatment.
It is difficult enough to find a solution to existing deprivation in the town without adding to it.
Whilst I agree that numbers of the vulnerable and genuine asylum seekers can and should be accommodated in the UK, I think that we in Bolton have done our fair whack and more prosperous towns and areas elsewhere in the country must now share in the burden caused by any new refugees and asylum seekers.
As a consequence, I suggest that for a period of time, Bolton should withdraw from being an Asylum Dispersal Area.
Paul Richardson
Ripon Close
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel