Taxpayers fund wellness retreat for migrants at military base | UK | News
Angry Brits accused the government of “turning a military base into a wellness center” for asylum seekers, complete with art classes, sports and a special “activities coordinator” on a £32,000 salary.
Shocking revelations about a lenient regime planned for 600 migrants at an Army camp in Crowborough, East Sussex, emerged as thousands of angry locals took to the streets for a third week to protest controversial accommodation plans.
Taxpayers will foot the bill for a range of generous benefits for asylum seekers, including wellbeing sessions, language lessons, cultural events and a “weekly and monthly calendar of activities” designed to be “inclusive, culturally sensitive and aligned with the needs and interests of migrants”.
The laid-back camp will also feature five on-site managers earning up to £60,000 a year, a security team leader earning up to £44,000 and 15 security guards pocketing £35,000 each.
‘British people are fed up with this madness’
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp angrily criticized the government’s priorities: “The British people are fed up with this madness.”
“Families are struggling with the cost of living. Taxpayers footing the bill are being told there is no money for local policing or housing. But somehow there is always room in the budget for activities for trespassers in Britain,” he raged.
Thousands braved the rain to protest ‘undocumented’ men
The latest demonstration in the usually quiet town saw 600 protesters carrying numbered cards, one for each asylum seeker arriving in the area from the end of this month.
Organizers estimate up to 3,000 people braved the pouring rain yesterday to voice their anger at the plans, with many expressing concern for the safety of local women and children.
Office manager Penny Saunders, 58, insisted: “This is about the community and the fact that these guys are going to be undocumented. This is about safety, not racism.”
Rape alarms were raised as tensions increased
In a worrying sign of rising tensions, police were seen handing out rape alarms to women in the town – but they claimed this was unrelated to the impending influx of male migrants.
Campaign group Crowborough Shield questioned the move, with chairman Kim Bailey asking: “If everything is ‘safe, legal and compliant’, why do women in a quiet little town like Crowborough need rape alarms?”
The future of student detachments is in doubt
Shockingly, controversial plans to house refugees at Crowborough Army base have jeopardized the future of several cadet detachments based in the area.
Serious concerns were raised about the safety of young soldiers if immigrants were placed on base; Reports reveal that at least 200 residents of refugee hotels were accused of various crimes, including sexual assaults, by August this year.
Adult learner educators are considering suspending training altogether, saying they believe they will not be able to ensure proper protection of students after immigrants arrive.
‘This is not compassion, this is chaos’
Local councilor Andrew Wilson criticized the government’s approach, saying: “This isn’t compassion, it’s chaos.”
“Local people are struggling with the high cost of living, our public services are stretched to breaking point and yet taxpayers are being asked to fund leisure activities for people coming here illegally.”
Crowborough Shield launched a legal fight against the plans, instructing lawyers to represent them in the judicial review process, after raising £40,000 through donations and crowdfunding.
Meanwhile, vandals have targeted the Army base in recent days and went on a window-breaking spree as tensions reached boiling point. Police confirmed they were investigating the incident.
Immigrant charity seeks volunteers amid restrictions
As the debate continues, migrant charity Care4Calais is recruiting volunteers to provide support to refugees in the disputed area.
The Home Office has insisted it is working to reduce the number of illegal immigrants being put up in hotels at taxpayers’ expense, but critics argue the ‘wellness retreat’ approach at Crowborough sends the wrong message.
With the first refugees arriving within just 48 hours, angry residents have vowed to continue their vocal opposition until the plans are cancelled.
