Overcrowding: Lord Turner

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Thank you Lord Tuner, a voice of sanity.

You know the line - 'prevention is better than a cure'. And while there is some time at least, let us do something about this before we turn a point of no return. Heavens above, we are nearly there already!!!

At the next General Election, I'm afraid, I'm going to have to deliver an effective protest vote. I can only ask people to do the same, as many politicians are ignoring this dangerous scenario at the nations peril.

- Ed James, Newcastle Under Lyme

my personal answer to the question is no.
Please ask yourselves a question,why is everything so expensive in this country? Why is the NHS in such a mess. Education is the next disaster area,
as in most schools in britain up to 45% of young students don´t even speak English.

- Neil Witchard, Newcastle upon tyne

We don't need anymore immigrants here in Canada either. I am sick and tired of my hard earned money going to support these bums on Welfare. I don't care if there are a lot of good ones out there. If they are that good, why does their country not work for them? They certainly would not support us if there was a war. That's scary. They are only here for the health care that was paid for by immigrants who came here honestly 100 years ago. Those were the good immigrants who care for Canada, not working here and sending money back home to support families there, huddled in one house. We now have rising crime and gangs right here in my city. Unknown diseases, rising welfare rolls. I don't want it and I wish there was a group here in Canada that would support this.

- Diana Frantz, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

At last, someone willing to voice the thoughts of what appears to be the majority of people. I also think W Joseph is right, that non-Britons should not be entitled to any state benefits, nor should British tax payers be supporting the children and families in their country of origin in the form of child benefit or whatever, just because the man of the family works here in the UK.
There should better control of our borders and ensure people coming here have jobs and housing at their expense (not state funded) before they are allowed entry as in other countries. The extra police etc could be funded by the savings the government would make from not paying out the benefits to immigrants that make the UK such a 'soft touch'.
A lot of people are tired of being taxed to the eyes only to see it squandered away in this fashion.

- Peter, Hailsham. UK

I agree with Will, London who said: "They're entitled to come, that's EU law. Anyone who claims or suggests otherwise is spinning and pandering for votes."

But what would reduce the numbers coming here is if we made a law that Non-Britons are not entitled to any state benefits, full stop.

Any financial assistance given to genuine political asylum claimants will need to come from funds already allocated by the UN and our Government, all the other rubbish needs to stop...

- W Joseph, London, England

Lord Turner concludes: "The simple answer to the question - 'Do we need more immigrants... ?' is no." But he said "it can be partially justified on moral grounds for asylum seekers."

I would, however, suggest that when it comes to issues of greater importance, there should be no 'ifs and buts', no double standards and no compromises, whatsoever.
As regards to the moral aspect, it's as equally applicable to the immigrants as to asylum seekers.
Moreover, contrary to the immigrants, some asylum seekers, in all likelihood, have totally bogus justifications to support their claims.

- Nadeem Asghar, London, UK.

Crash Gordon does not listen: everything for a vote he thinks...

- Jacqueline, Hampstead, London

The Lake District where I live has become Little Poland, everything seems to be geared for us English to learn Polish. Shops and libraries and churches seem to be doing more and more in Polish. I have nothing against them personally. Where has Lord Turner been these last 5 to 10 years while all this was happening, enough is more than enough.

- Janet Edwards, Kendal, England

Have the British public ever been asked their views on immigration (controlled or un-controlled)? I don't think so. It is our politicians that have imposed the situation on us, irrespective of our views. People should balance the so called 'economic benefit' against the 'quality of life'. If the present uncontrolled immigration continues the quality of life could reduce considerably. What will our politicians do about it then?

- Brian, Bristol

Mick has it right on. The UK is no longer in control of immigration to its shores. This is now under EU immigration policy. The Lisbon Treaty makes the current de facto situation into a binding one, in that a new federal state is formed, with the UK as just one of its provinces. In the same way that Florida can't stop anybody who has legally entered the US from residing in Florida, the UK will have no more powers in saying how many can enter the UK or where they go. Those days are over. As simple as that. Too bad that more British people haven't considered the massive impact that will be felt shortly from the Lisbon Treaty ratification on not only immigration but also many other areas.

- Phil Jones, London UK

How long will it be before he is sidelined and sent to some outlying embassy in Sudan?

- Adam, Harrow, UK

Be prepared for higher prices with the lack new labour coming on to the market.

Higher costs for shop staff, builders and in the NHS.

- Thomas, London

While we are about it I think that we should put a ban on Britons moving abroad as well, I should imagine that by now the host countries are starting to feel like some of our current host of commentators...foreigners in their own countries. And before the regular whingers start off again about the reason being for all the immigrants leaving is because of all the immigrants arriving...Balderdash! It's because the overseas countries offer a far better lifestyle.

- Dennis, Taplow UK.

Immigration cannot be reduced without leaving the European Union, and that is not going to happen. When Turkey eventually joins the union immigration will in fact rise.

- Mick, London, England

I do hope Lord Turner gets given vast quantities of taxpayers' money to come up with such insightful opinions.

For the price of a pint Mr Brown could get the same advice in pretty much any pub in the UK. But when it’s the tax payer footing the bill why spend a few quid when you could spend millions?

- Ben, London

It's not too late to turn the tide. I would advocate a complete halt on immigration whilst this issue is investigated.

I don't know why the South East has been singled out though. What about the northern industrial towns? It's not all about Brixton.

- Rachel, Glamorgan, UK

No it's not suprising when a Government misleads the public on such a grand scale. At best their immigration projections were pure incompetent, at worst, a deliberate policy to ruin the quality of life for those in the South East. Who will believe their figures in the future? Not me.

- Graham, Swanley, UK

They're entitled to come, that's EU law. Anyone who claims or suggests otherwise is spinning and pandering for votes.

- Will, London

What we really need are people in government who can see problems before they happen and stop them happening, not after they happen. Anybody (except perhaps elected officials) can do the latter.

- Frank, England

We have known this for the last ten years. We do not need mass uncontrolled immigration plus overpopulation. There is a sinister feeling about this.

- Grim Reaper, London

At last! Someone states the blindingly obvious! We should have stopped all immigration years ago, but let's not miss the opportunity to build it into policy now. There is no more urgent issue.

- David, Cambridge, UK

I agree. I would however add that one has to consider the cultural situation as well. Immigration is not just an economic issue. There are social repercussions. How do people feel abut their neighbours nowadays? Is there any such thing as society in large British cities any more (or even in some villages)?

Are immigrants planning to become British and remain or are they simply here to earn? This is a social issue as those who plan to earn and leave will not bother participating in civic society or making a social contribution. Witness the many groups that don't mix with the host population and simply live in enclaves.

All crucial questions, as they shape tomorrow's society.

- Mark, London, UK

If the government stop handing out freebies to all and sundry we will soon see a significant drop, if not complete stop, of immigration.

- Debbie Harris, London

There isn't a RISK of overcrowding, there already is overcrowding in the South East. You're lucky if you can squeeze yourself on a train in the morning, and even luckier if once you finally manage it, you hear an English voice! This government won't be happy until every ENGLISH person has left, forced out of their own country by the millions of immigrants moving in. We are an island with a finite amount of space, high time those in power recognised this.

- Geraldine, London

Even if it is stopped completely and forever the damage has irrevocably been done now. England is just not what it was and a lot of us feel foreigners in our own country in parts of London.

- Sally.Brooks, london uk

Hmm, without more babies eventually we'll need more immigrants. Did he actually mean immigrant babies?

- Claire, London

The government just needed to ask the public, no advisor was needed for this report. Even I could have told them, if ever asked.

- John, Essex UK

Makes you wonder what holds more sway, the wishes of the electorate or the opinions of an adviser.

- Sarah, london

At last someone talking sense - but will Gordy & Co. take any notice? Not while they live their comfortable and protected lives.

- Mn, london

Lord Turner is a welcome voice of sanity. We all know he's speaking the truth, and deep down so do MPs and the PM - but will they be brave enough to act on what Lord Turner says? I hope so before this beautiful, tolerant island is smothered in concrete and covered with self generating masses of people.

- Derek, London

It's taken all this time for them to figure out what we knew a long time ago!

- Sue, Orpington, Kent

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