Three Labour police and crime commissioners have published a pro-migrant “fact sheet” in a bid to “promote compassion” for new arrivals to Britain.
Durham, Northumberland and Cleveland PCCs have teamed up with pro-immigration organisation The North East Migration Partnership (NEMP) to create the leaflet.
The document, which is set to be handed out to libraries and community centres in the areas, claims it dispels “common myths” surrounding the behaviour of migrants in Britain.
The NEMP is funded by the Home Office and Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities.
The leaflet features nine ‘myths’ surrounding ‘harmful’ attitudes against migrants
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The groups website claims it “provides support to migrants” and “helps make sure the region can benefit from migration”.
The leaflet features nine “myths” surrounding “harmful” attitudes against migrants, including that the new arrivals are a “drain our public resources”.
It argues that it is “quite the opposite”, adding that migrants contribute more to public finances than the average British citizen.
The document reads: “The Office of Budget Responsibility estimates that the average migrant, who moves to this country at the age of 25 and lives until 80, will contribute £341,000 to public finances over the course of their lives.
“That’s more than a British citizen contributes on average.”
However, the OBR admitted last year that low-paid migrants are a net drain, costing taxpayers £150,000 by the time they reach the state pension age.
The document also indicates there is “no evidence” that “migrants bring crime to our streets”, and even goes on to suggest “there could be a link between waves of immigration and falling crime rates”.
It adds: “In fact, various studies have found that neither asylum seekers nor other types of migrants could be linked to significant changes in violent crime.”
According to court records, asylum seeker hotel occupants have been charged with a total of 435 offences, 109 relating to violence and 44 for sexual offences, including alleged rape.
According to court records, asylum seeker hotel occupants have been charged with a total of 435 offences
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The pro-migrant leaflet also claims that “it is just not true” that “all migrants are given preferential access to social housing”.
The police chiefs claim that “migrants are less likely to get social housing than people born in the UK”.
However, almost half (48 per cent) of all of London’s social housing is taken up by foreign-born heads of households.
The documents also goes on to claim that “most” migrants who arrive to Britain “know nothing about welfare benefits before they arrive” and therefore, “they have no expectation that they will receive financial support”.
The police chiefs claim that ‘migrants are less likely to get social housing than people born in the UK’
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Durham Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen said: “We know that misinformation fuels fear and can lead to hate crime.
“This initiative is about stopping harmful narratives in their tracks and promoting compassion and truth across our region.”
Northumbria PCC Susan Dungworth said: “Time and time again online and in the media we’re all being fed harmful myths.
“All this incorrect information isn’t just misinforming us, it’s dividing us too.”
“We came together on this project because we all want to set the record straight – replace the fiction with the facts – and hate with understanding.”
Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey added: “We must do all we can to get the reality of the situation regarding immigration into the public domain and challenge those divisive voices.”
