A journalist has been criticised after he claimed those coming into the UK in small boats via the English Channel were “coming with just expectation” of receiving a job and benefits.
In a debate on Good Morning Britain, The Times’ political sketch writer Quentin Letts sparked controversy after he made the claim, suggesting Britain was “regarded as a soft touch” in terms of its immigration enforcement.
After it was suggested by presenter Ben Shephard people enter the UK “with just cause”, Letts replied: “They’re coming with just expectation.
“They’re coming here thinking ‘I can get a job, I can get some benefits’”.
Then, after another guest – the Observer’s Sonia Sodha – said making Britain more hostile to asylum seekers would not help the situation, he added “that would help”.
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“I think we’re regarded a soft touch,” he said.
Quentin Letts: "[Refugees] are coming with 'just expectation', they're coming here thinking 'I can get a job, I can get benefits"
— Incorrigible FCA (@ImIncorrigible) November 25, 2021
Sonia Sodha: "You made that claim about benefits, actually you get more money in France as an asylum seeker than you do in the UK"#GMB #r4today pic.twitter.com/qhxrYxh0OF
It comes after 27 people died yesterday, drowning after a small boat capsized in the worst-ever incident involving migrants in the Channel, according to French maritime authorities.
Two people were saved from the water and the French authorities have arrested five suspected people traffickers in connection with the incident, while the regional prosecutor has opened an investigation into aggravated manslaughter.
The incident has also triggered debates about the UK’s strict immigration system and the role of people smugglers who facilitate the dangerous crossings. But while Sodha maintained that people come to the UK out of desperation and the desire to reunite with family, Letts appeared to believe the pull was more financial and implied that stronger border enforcement was the answer to preventing such tragedies from occurring again.
Responding to him, people criticised Letts for his comments, and fact-checked some of his claims, pointing out that migrants in the UK don’t exactly receive millions in benefits:
Quentin Letts is another one who makes much of his 'Christianity'. He used to write frequently of his role as a deputy church warden. I often wonder what these ghouls make of the actual Bible. https://t.co/bMF0u2QQTb
— James Oh Brien (@mrjamesob) November 25, 2021
To Quentin Letts and others who think that the desperate human beings crossing the Channel are coming here for benefits, a reminder.
— Otto English (@Otto_English) November 25, 2021
Asylum seekers in the UK receive on average just £5.66 - a day.
Government 'asylum support' is £39.63 a week. Those are the benefits Quentin Letts thinks people are drowning in the Channel for.
— David__Osland (@David__Osland) November 25, 2021
I understand that Quentin Letts believes himself to be a Christian, and yet he seems peculiarly oblivious to what is perhaps the most consistent moral message in the Bible: that you should offer refuge to those in need. pic.twitter.com/5Y44HrBmh2
— Gpoptosis (@Gpoptosis) November 25, 2021
Quentin Letts can f*** off. Odious little squirt.#GMB
— Paul Clift 🏳️🌈🇪🇺🏳️⚧️ #BLM #FBPA (@paulclift01) November 25, 2021
Will swap Quentin Letts for an infinite amount of refugees. It will make the UK an endlessly better place.
— Stevie Chick (@stevie_chick) November 25, 2021
Could we tell Quentin Letts about this! https://t.co/qukEZPjVKW
— Diane Soye (@disoye) November 25, 2021
If I was paid six figures to write the kind of garbage Quentin Letts does, I'd probably also assume its really ease to coast by in Britain expecting you'll get money for nothing.
— Ross McCafferty (@RossMcCaff) November 25, 2021
Indy100 has contacted Letts and ITV to comment on this story. Letts said he had nothing to add.
