NATIONAL WELCOME FOR HONG KONG ARRIVALS

In the House of Commons, Robert Jenrick (Communities Secretary) said:

‘I warmly welcome the recently announced package of support for those arriving from Hong Kong on British national overseas status. Will my right hon. Friend confirm that all corners of the United Kingdom will receive support to enable those who arrive to settle where they wish and contribute to our economy through, for example, setting up a business? As champions of freedom and democracy, we are living up to our historical responsibilities to the people of Hong Kong. I have made it the mission of my Department to ensure that all BNO status holders and their families have the very best start as soon as they arrive here. That includes an additional £43 million package across all UK nations to provide targeted support for new arrivals, including English language tuition where necessary and help with housing costs for those who need it. We are creating 12 welcome hubs across the UK to give practical support for everything from applying for a school place and registering with a GP to setting up a business. This month, I met four Hong Kong families who have recently arrived in the UK, and their profound sense of optimism about the future reaffirmed my belief that this programme will enrich our country for generations to come.’

On the Government website Jenrick states:

‘I want to extend a warm welcome to Hong Kongers arriving in the UK and reaffirm that this government is doing everything in its power to ensure your success and happiness here. This programme will ensure British National (Overseas) status holders and their families have the very best start as soon as they arrive, and support to help them find a home, schools for their children, opportunity and prosperity.

We are a champion of freedom and democracy and will live up to our responsibilities to the people of Hong Kong, so that these families will come to find the UK a place they can call home.’

On the Government website Priti Patel (Home Secretary) states:

‘We promised to uphold freedom for the people of Hong Kong, which is why I am proud that we have been able to support so many people when they have needed our help. It’s an unprecedented and generous scheme and there is no other visa in the world of this nature. We are working hard to successfully resettle people here and recognise there is nothing more difficult than leaving your home to rebuild a life in a new country.

I know communities up and down our country will welcome new arrivals with open arms and support them to build a new life in the UK.’

Dominic Raab (Foreign Secretary) states:

‘This is another important step in our support for BNOs to help them integrate and contribute to UK society.

It reflects our commitment to the people of Hong Kong – and those who have now chosen to start a new life here.’

Dr Krish Kandiah (Founder of UKHK.org) states:

‘The arrival of Hong Kongers will enrich the UK immensely and help thousands of people live in freedom.

All of us – neighbours, colleagues, fellow students, businesses – have important roles to play in making Hong Kongers feel welcome and to help their integration into British society. But government support is critical. That’s the clear lesson from past migrations. So it is great to see the government follow through on its commitment to help Hong Kongers successfully settle in the UK with an early package of assistance.’

Daniel Korski (‘Welcoming Committee for Hong Kongers and Vice-President of the Jewish Leadership Council’) states: ‘I believe the new arrivals from Hong Kong have so much to offer our nation at this critical time. Our children will thrive studying alongside new Hong Kong classmates. Our businesses will benefit with fresh talent from Hong Kong. And our communities will be enriched by our new Hong Kong neighbours.

The government’s generous investment in a National Welcome to Hong Kong new arrivals is a significant and positive commitment. It not only sends a strong message of support to those arriving from Hong Kong, it also encourages the many civil society groups, community associations, churches and other faith communities who have been actively involved in offering practical and emotional support to the new arrivals as they make the UK their home.’

The website gives some details of the welcome package:

  • 12 “virtual” welcome hubs for new arrivals with funding for projects like local helplines, community led activities such as buddying up with other families, and English language support if needed, ensuring that people feel at home in their new community.
  • A £986,000 national Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) grant scheme will fund national projects that support BN(O) status holders in areas such as employment, mental health and wellbeing to help build community cohesion.
  • As a part of the VCSE fund, MHCLG will develop dedicated Hong Kong educational resources for schools so that they can teach young people about our historic connection and commitment to Hong Kong and its people and, celebrate the contribution of the Hong Kong-British and Chinese-British Diaspora to the UK.
  • Dedicated advice for BN(O)s and a comprehensive welcome pack to help BN(O) families navigate the move. This includes information on how to access public services, registering to vote and opening a bank account, pointing to local amenities like libraries and leisure centres and promoting the UK’s rich cultural, arts and music events, all translated into Cantonese.

The latest estimate is that there are a potential 5.4million Hong Kongers who are eligible to come to the UK under the Government offer. That amounts to around 10 per cent of England’s population. England is where nearly all immigrants settle. Priti Patel has already indicated that she is happy for millions of Hong Kong Chinese to move to the UK (see here).

On a recent Newsnight programme, the Chinese ambassador was scathing about the UK’s attitude. He referred to a past confrontation China had had with the then President Reagan when the Chinese said they would send 35million Chinese to the USA if the USA wanted. Reagan backed down. The ambassador made a similar offer to the UK, if that is what we really wanted.

Jenrick’s remark about how the Hong Kong Chinese would ‘contribute to our economy’ is laughable. The costs for housing, roads, railways, hospitals, schools, etc will dwarf any taxes that the immigrants might pay. Then there is the impact on the quality of life for the English. There are many English people in England who cannot get a home of their own, and yet Jenrick boasts of how taxpayers’ monies will be used to help Hong Kong Chinese get homes in the UK.

The Government is very well aware that the English wish to see a complete end to mass immigration. The Government has no democratic licence to flood the UK with ever more immigrants. The English are under no obligation to accept that their interests and wishes should be cast aside.