Swindon Stand Up To Racism announces free public meeting

By Barrie Hudson - 2 October 2024

CommunityPolitics

A public meeting will be held by Swindon Stand Up To Racism on Thursday 10 October from 7-10pm at the Broad Green Community Centre in Salisbury Street.

The organisation mobilised in August to oppose a rumoured far-right march and possible attacks on asylum seekers in Swindon, amid a nationwide spate of far-right rioting. 

Swindon Stand Up To Racism says the purpose of the meeting is to address claims made in certain parts of the media regarding asylum seekers and provision for them.

A spokesperson said: "Admission is free and after some speakers there will be an opportunity to open the floor to questions and thoughts.

"Let’s take a look at some facts and figures, to see if the conversation can be had without name calling and anger. People are rightly concerned about the demise of the NHS with spiralling waiting lists, the outrageous cost of renting or buying a home, the lack of social housing, the cost of living crisis and cuts to public services. 

"These conditions are not caused by asylum seekers, refugees or migrants.

"Asylum seekers are people who have left their country and are seeking international protection from persecution or serious human rights violations in another country, but have not yet been legally recognised as a refugee. 

"Seeking asylum is not illegal. It is a human right. If you look at where those seeking asylum have come from you will see countries which are almost impossible to live in usually because of interference from outside. It isn’t their fault.

"A refugee is a person who has fled their own country because they are at risk of serious human rights violations and persecution there. The risks to their safety and life were so great that they felt they had no choice but to leave and seek safety outside their country because their own government cannot or will not protect them from those dangers. 

"Refugees have a right to international protection.

"Migrants are people staying outside their country of origin who are not refugees or seeking asylum.  

"Some migrants leave their country because they want to work, study or join family, for example. Others feel they must leave because of poverty, political unrest, gang violence, natural disasters or other serious circumstances that exist there."

Swindon Stand Up To Racism also pointed out data including:

- The UK population is around 69 million and in the year ending June 2024, the UK granted refugee status to 67,978 people - which is 0.09% of the population.

- The UK hosts less than 1% of the global total of refugees, with Colombia, Germany, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Pakistan, and Türkiye hosting nearly 2 in 5 of the world’s refugees and other people in need of international protection.

The spokesperson added: "But let's look at Swindon - population 233,713 - with 523 asylum seekers receiving support at the moment that is 0.2% of the population. A recent report shows 1,147 seeking asylum or resettlement in Swindon which is 0.5% of the population.

"Approximately one in 10 people in Swindon were born outside of the UK.

"Swindon's population has doubled in the last 50 years, mainly due to people moving in from other areas, particularly from the South-East of England. 

"Without people moving into Swindon there would have been economic stagnation. Living standards would have got worse not better.

"According to the Office for National statistics, migrants contribute approximately £83 billion to the UK’s economic output annually.  At the end of 2023 the UK Government said skilled refugees were contributing nearly £1 million each year in income tax and national insurance. 

"Migrant workers play a crucial role in sectors like healthcare, STEM industries, and finance. For instance, as of 2020, 13.8% of the UK’s healthcare workforce were non-British nationals.

"Foreign-born nationals are also disproportionately likely to start businesses in the UK. A report by the Migration Policy Institute noted that migrants in the UK are about 7% more likely to start businesses than UK-born individuals. Asylum seekers are not allowed to work until they have been given leave to remain and then become refugees."

Swindon Stand Up To Racism will also be attending the Stand Up To Racism demonstration in London on 26 October to oppose right wing activist Tommy Robinson, and a coach has been booked.

The spokesperson said: "If you would like to join us for either event, want more details or to join the group, please email [email protected] or check out our Facebook page - Swindon Stand Up To Racism."

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