Struggling Britain too crowded for any more immigrants

From: David Cook, Parkside Close, Cottingham, East Yorkshire.

I AM writing regarding the thorny issue of immigration, which seems to cause so much controversy – but why should it?

The roads are overcrowded across the country and train fares seem to be geared to keeping as many people as possible away from railways.

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Hospitals are struggling to cope with ever increasing numbers of patients.

There is a serious lack of affordable housing – especially for first-time buyers. With increased population the situation can only get worse.

We need fewer, rather than more people, both from the EU and the rest of the world. Unemployment shows a constant high. Where skills shortages exist why not train our own people?

We are a tiny island totally unable to absorb the numbers that would love to live here. There is more to life than creating wealth.

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I have yet to meet anyone who doesn’t think we need to have some control over our borders and upon the numbers coming into this country.

From: Robert Reynolds, West Bank, Batley, West Yorkshire.

IT’S good to know that UK GDP is rising... until you realise the statistics have been manipulated.

This has been the growing trend in Western governments for many years. The Americans are masters at it.

Here are some questions for you to think about.

Why is inflation so low, yet the cost of living so high?

If real wages have fallen by up to 12 per cent, why have house prices soared by eight per cent?

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Why is nobody talking about the massive national debt, that will double under the coalition to £1.4 trillion?

Interest payments alone cost £800 for every man, woman and child annually.

Why has the Chancellor lied to the country, stating that the budget deficit is down to £100bn a month, when in fact it remains stubbornly high at £200bn?

Why cannot any coalition politician explain, that, despite severe austerity measures, government spending is still rising?

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And why, if things are truly getting better, are food banks receiving more requests for help from people unable to provide even the basics in life for themselves?

From: Paul Kilroy, Spennithorne Avenue, Leeds.

YOUR optimistic forecast for Leeds (Yorkshire Post, January 1) seems well-founded.

But there needs to be a better management of money and an enhanced presence at Westminster.

You mention revenue generated by the arena, Tour de France, Trinity and Eastgate centres. But where has past revenue gone? Had it not been for the timely airport sale, we wouldn’t have an arena.

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We are still heavily in debt and making cuts to basic services. We invest less than other cities in our infrastructure and haven’t their conference centres or prestige sports venues.

An urgent public and independent review is needed of our priorities, investments, resources, spending, assets, contracts, consultancy fees and administration costs.

We must combine with West Yorkshire and northern MPs and councils to represent our common interests and seek EU investment – even if it means creating a federated region outside the UK.