Something seems to have gotten skipped, a step of the argument left out.

I would think that FIRST you need to present your arguments as to WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY it might be to arrange that assylum seekers are adequately fed and sheltered while the state providing safety from the threat they were under (assylum) does that.

PLEASE -- I am not taking sides in that argument, not about to tell you that you are wrong in conculding that in addition to providing assylum it is the duty of the state to also provide support of the assylum seekers. All I am saying is that you need to present your arguments why, for example, this is not the duty of whoever chooses to assume that role (organize a charity "support of assylum seekers", solicit funds from those who choose to accept this responsibility, organize the distribution of that material support, etc.)

Understand what I am saying here? There is a substantial difference between ALLOWING things and COMPELLING things upon everybody (distribution of monies collected in taxes) and even in the latter case arguments about first having to have democratic agreement about doing that,

That's why I said you have jumped ahead. You shouldn't criticize the government for failing to do an adequate job of 'support" until after you have convinced us that is a governmental responsibility which has been agreed to. Again I repeat that I am NOT arguing that it shouldn't be a society wide responsibility --- just that getting the majoirty to agree to that and passing the necessary laws should be your next step. And THEN you criticize if you find those laws aren't properly followed.

Not quite sure if I've understood your comments. But the point is that there *is* a statutory responsibility for the Home Office's UK Border Agency to provide accommodation and subsistence support to people who are seeking asylum and who are without the means to provide for themselves.

The UKBA have contracted this responsibility out to a number of private sector agencies, many of whom have been criticised for their lack of quality control and their failure to respond to clients' needs. This testimony might clarify the situation a little:


"My name is Beatrice. I am from Cameroon. I live in the UK with my 2 children, Ben (6) and Cynthia (2). Ben is disabled and needs to wear metal braces on his legs.

We have been given a flat to live in by the Home Office (UK Border Agency). Although we have been living in the flat for one year, we are told that it is temporary and that we are only able to live in it while the UKBA decides whether or not to stay in the UK.

The flat is very small. We have only one bedroom and the 3 of us have to share one bed between us all. Since Ben needs to wear the braces on his legs all night, the bed is extremely uncomfortable for all 3 of us.

The flat is damp and cold. Many parts of the walls are black because of the damp. There is a leak from the upstairs flat’s bathroom, which drips through the ceiling and onto our electric cooker. I am scared to cook because of this.

Although I have complained to my landlord many times about the conditions we are living in, nothing has been done. One year later, we are still here, and our health is suffering because of the conditions we are living in. "

Wall of shame.