I FELT lost in 2024 because the charity I work for focuses on fighting poverty and homelessness and we keep seeing record numbers each year. Things are not getting better.
We are not a social policy charity, we simply care about the economic wellbeing of every person who comes to us.
We are not a refugee charity, but in 2024 more people came to us who were seeking asylum or who are refugees than at any other time in our history.
And no one would talk about it. No one that is except those loud voices whose frustrations gave way to blame and anger.
In 2024 we have hired multilingual staff members. We have created additional English language classes. We have shared our data and we have asked for help.
But apart from those dedicated charities and public servants whose job it is to work with migrants, no one wants to talk about it.
There is no public discussion about migration without fear, anger and lecturing and yet we can all see the changes in our region.
So, I want to share what I have seen in 2024.
Since Covid-19, the Government assessments to decide whether people who come into the country can stay or not significantly decreased.
However, new people did not stop coming and so the numbers of people seeking asylum in the UK increased.
Whilst seeking asylum, people cannot learn English or work by law - with very few exceptions.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Small-time United show true colours with another backward step
RUBEN Amorim slumped his shoulders in the 57th minute. Three minutes later, his body language worsened. This week was as huge as the Arsenal and Liverpool weeks. This was another backward step for a club that is seemingly incapable of moving forwards. This small-time United side has shown its true colours.
Village restaurant set for move after staff struggles
ONE of Manchester's best restaurants is to close its eatery in Prestwich. The Scandinavian-influenced, Michelin-rated restaurant OSMA has been a feature of the village since it opened in 2020. Its owners have announced its final day of service will be Sunday, February 9 ahead of a move to an un-named Manchester city centre location.
TOONE HITS HAT-TRICK IN DERBY WIN FOR REDS
A HAT-TRICK by Ella Toone helped United stun City by a 4-2 score to leapfrog their rivals in the Women's Super League.
Date set for Ruud return in cup clash with Foxes
RUUD van Nistelrooy will return to Old Trafford for the first time since leaving the club next month, with the date for United's FA Cup fourth round clash against Leicester City confirmed.
BRU RUES 'LACK OF CONFIDENCE' IN UNITED SIDE
BRUNO Fernandes has admitted that United's players are currently experiencing a 'lack of confidence' after being beaten 3-1 by Brighton at Old Trafford yesterday.
May's stroke recovery
ACTRESS Anita Dobson has said her husband Sir Brian May is \"stable\" and they are \"taking each day as it comes\" following his stroke last year.
'We should be more than the place with the man with a paper mache head'
RESIDENTS HAVE THEIR SAY AMID PUSH FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO SUBURB
What are social media platforms doing about it?
TIKTOK told us the sale of drugs on the platform violates their Community Guidelines. They added they have tens of thousands of safety professionals dedicated to keeping Tik Tok safe and continue to invest in strengthening their enforcement strategies.
Guardiola has faith his side are on the road to recovery
PEP Guardiola believes City are edging closer to their best after a fluent performance saw them dismantle Ipswich at Portman Road to climb back into the Premier League top four.
£86m misfit Ant sure Bet for loan to a Spanish club
UNITED are preparing for Antony to leave on loan before the winter transfer window closes. There is a growing belief that the winger will secure a loan for the remainder of the season before deadline day on February 3, with Real Betis interested in Antony.