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Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 3) - Travel (708) - Nairaland

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Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 3) by Zahra29: 5:30pm On Nov 03, 2024
Cyberknight:
Virtually everything we talk about on here is moot, I'd assume. I definitely don't think KB is scrolling through the pages of Nairaland trying to feel the pulse of the Nigerian or any other African or Black community in the UK wink

Lol...we will soon get scolded for derailing the thread and preventing people from asking pertinent questions.

At the bolded, that's the case. No-one is living in a parallel universe where it is NOT the case. What I said was that were circumstances different it would be something that the thinking Black community would be celebrating fully as another smashed ceiling, irrespective of however they might feel about the Tory party itself.

I think we're largely saying the same thing. My only difference is that I'm not waiting for the right circumstances, or the perfect black candidate, before celebrating this as a smashed ceiling. If you went back in time, you'll find that some black people also took issue with Abbot. "Don't let the perfect become the enemy of the good", is one of my favourite proverbs


Regarding the italicised, this was something that MLK yearned for on behalf of us all some 60 years ago, but the truth is that it is still far from reality. As Obama, the most successful Black politician thus far, eventually learned, not many people - on both sides - judge you not by the colour of your skin, but solely by the content of your character

Agreed. Only very young children truly possess this quality.

.
Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 3) by Cyberknight: 5:56pm On Nov 03, 2024
[quote author=Zahra29 post=132718269][/quote]The key thing of course being the amount of imperfection that can be accepted in the name of avoiding inimicality to the good wink

My politics are pretty much centre-left (with exceptions, I'm happy to pay more tax to fund public services for instance, but disagree with the newly-imposed VAT on private school fees, etc., etc.), but when Liz and Kwasi did their thing in 2022 and took mortgages to another level which affected me, a trapped resident of the south east dutifully pissing away my pay on rent and train fares, I would still spring to Kwasi's defence in office convos, because I have to. Same with David Lammy, who I dont think is growing into his job at the FO, but I will hear nothing said against him - he's my brother (This notwithstanding the fact that, as earlier discussed, David will probably very likely not in any way feel any connection with we uncivilised treacherous enslaved-person selling west Africans smiley). Criticise Zain Asher for going by a different name unlike her brother - and you get an earful from me about how Zaina is her real name and whether a dropped vowel makes a difference. Talk about how Oyelowo's career seems a bit off after Selma and you become my opponent for the day, even though I have barely watched a full-length film this year and have no interest in whatever goes on in Hollywood and the various -woods. And so on.

No - one has to actually open their mouths to identify with the Black community. We take that as a given. But when a person of colour says (or fails to say) things in order to distance themselves from the Black community, how is the community expected to celebrate whole-heartedly and without deep misgivings?
Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 3) by jedisco(m): 6:16pm On Nov 03, 2024
Cyberknight:
Once the 2 year visa had expired, I applied for the 10 year one for her next trip the next year. So immediately. I filled the form, and I didn't say anything different regarding length of visa than I had said in the previous 2 forms (which was for visiting family. She also started from a 6 month visa, then 2 years). This was a while back, so I can't speak to how the visit visa process might be now, but if I remember clearly, I simply selected an option for visa length and filled the form as usual, then paid the higher fee.

That demographic (retired older folks with some travel history and visiting supporting children in the UK ) are low-risk and your mother will definitely have a high chance of getting a longer-term visa. I'm not sure about moving from 6 months to 10 years, I know visa fees have gone up, so depending on you/your family's situation, you may or may not want to gamble with approx. £1k (because if you apply for 10 years and they grant a shorter term, such as 2 or 5 years, I believe they don't refund the difference?). I would chance it in your shoes (in my case there are 3 of us siblings to share costs if need be), but otherwise you could try aiming for a 5 year one.
The bill is layered - na step by step. Reminds me of a post I made a while back comparing the UK visa system with Canada.
It's interesting how cheap things were in 2003. The UK has now succeeded in commoditising the process. Upside is that its relatively quick and more predictable. With an annual income of £2.2 billion and counting from visa fees alone, I would not be surprised if other developed countries soon follow suit. Annoyingly, these are fees that have moore differential impact on migrants coming from developing nations.

Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 3) by Zahra29: 6:16pm On Nov 03, 2024
Cyberknight:
The key thing of course being the amount of imperfection that can be accepted in the name of avoiding inimicality to the good wink
This is where it boils down to individual beliefs and comfort levels. It's interesting that the black people you mentioned above are all married to white partners, a fact that might not bother you or me, but would cause them to be cancelled by a significant number of black people who still view inter racial relationships as treachery.
In the same way, Kemi's comments might offend some black people, but to others she's just speaking facts. We all have different views.


Fun fact - you might find Lammy to be more amenable towards West Africans than you think. He's actually a cool guy and it is rumoured that he used to date the lovely June Sarpong (allegedly!) back in the day who is of Ghanaian origin.
(I'm hoping he improves in his role as Foreign Sec lol)

On the other hand, Kwarteng used to date Amber Rudd who was T May's apprentice when it came to creating a hostile environment for immigrants including those from West Africa where he hails from... Life is not so black and white (no pun intended lol)
Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 3) by jedisco(m): 6:29pm On Nov 03, 2024
justwise:
I never thought that she will get to the final stage let a lone wining it
She was always the favourite. Alot of recent events including Rishi's premiership helped pave the way. Takes nothing from her brilliance, eloquence and carriage but she sure did pander to her core demography. Now, she has arrived, I hope her premiership is not characterised by talking down on Nigerians cos her own party wouldn't waste time to devour her if the opportunity presents.

As said earlier, the dilema with trailblazers like her is that she could very well be a mouth piece for the most vile cohort of the thier party. She could say things that even Farage would struggle with voicing and people would find it hard to criticise her as she's 'black and immigrant'. I saw her dress down an MP from NI speaking against the narrative around migrants and theblady was in shock. She was not expecting it.
Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 3) by Cyberknight: 6:33pm On Nov 03, 2024
jedisco:
The bill is layered - na step by step. Reminds me of a post I made a while back comparing the UK visa system with Canada.
It's interesting how cheap things were in 2003. The UK has now succeeded in commoditising the process. Upside is that its relatively quick and more predictable. With an annual income of £2.2 billion and counting from visa fees alone, I would not be surprised if other developed countries soon follow suit. Annoyingly, these are fees that have more differential impact on migrants coming from developing nations.
It is what it is. The fees, the rules and the possibility of these fees increasing were known to us before we came, so we have to swallow them. Of course, joined-up long-term thinking is not the politicians' strong suit, otherwise it would have occurred to someone that bankrupting or holding back the progress of the immigrants you do allow in with double taxation is most definitely not helpful to the country itself in the long run.
Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 3) by Cyberknight: 6:48pm On Nov 03, 2024
Zahra29:
This is where it boils down to individual beliefs and comfort levels. It's interesting that the black people you mentioned above are all married to white partners, a fact that might not bother you or me, but would cause them to be cancelled by a significant number of black people who still view inter racial relationships as treachery.
In the same way, Kemi's comments might offend some black people, but to others she's just speaking facts. We all have different views.


Fun fact - you might find Lammy to be more amenable towards West Africans than you think. He's actually a cool guy and it is rumoured that he used to date the lovely June Sarpong (allegedly!) back in the day who is of Ghanaian origin.
(I'm hoping he improves in his role as Foreign Sec lol)

On the other hand, Kwarteng used to date Amber Rudd who was T May's apprentice when it came to creating a hostile environment for immigrants including those from West Africa where he hails from... Life is not so black and white (no pun intended lol)
Interesting. Let's not get into the murky world of black men marrying other races and what others think about it. That's a whole can of worms right there.
Everyone has their own viewpoints and opinions - but if you noticed I used the term "thinking" black community meaning that I'm talking about people who are judicious enough to set aside their own prejudices and biases and reach considered opinions.

Regarding David's thing with June Sarpong you've mentioned, as a bush west African who is accused of having earned generational wealth from the trade in enslaved persons which I should now pay as tax to the mother country to pay as non-cash reparations to the west Indian countries, I could say - aha - you can play with the sista, but you don't want to stay with the sista wink
Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 3) by jedisco(m): 7:10pm On Nov 03, 2024
missjekyll:
Loook ! Look what I found!

This is from the OBR September 2024.
If all of us pack and go,the UK will shut up shop and close market. We produce so much more than we are given.

I don't want to hear "pim " in this thread again.

Una doo... *sashays out of thread*
I remember discussing this here when it came out. Another good example where what is not said is as important as what is said. I mean the fact that the cost of a low/no wage UK resident is not represented to enable a like for like comparison leaves me thinking.

Since the average UK resident already costs the government circa 450k by the time they are 25, I wonder how that would progress or the representation for lower wage earners moreso considering the fact that 1 in 3 UK adults of working age do not pay income tax and that a growing cohort of this group are under-35 who are on longterm sick i.e more difficult to subsequently return to work, rise in their carrer or contribute significantly. Add this to the female fertility rate which is well below replacement level and still dropping, then you see why certain immigration pathways e.g care have been purposely left open despite every politician and citizen chorusing how they want high earning migrants.

For a society that cannot naturally meet its workforce demands, each young migrant coming to fill a role is like handing the government a huge check i.e the cost of not having them/replacing them locally far exceeds the cost of having them. This is basically the reason why many developed nations find themselves turning to migration to boost the economy when faced with low growth
Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 3) by Zahra29:
Cyberknight:
Interesting. Let's not get into the murky world of black men marrying other races and what others think about it. That's a whole can of worms right there.
Everyone has their own viewpoints and opinions - but if you noticed I used the term "thinking" black community meaning that I'm talking about people who are judicious enough to set aside their own prejudices and biases and reach considered opinions.

Regarding David's thing with June Sarpong you've mentioned, as a bush west African who is accused of having earned generational wealth from the trade in enslaved persons which I should now pay as tax to the mother country to pay as non-cash reparations to the west Indian countries, I could say - aha - you can play with the sista, but you don't want to stay with the sista wink
It's not just black men lol. Zain Asher is married to a white American and has 2 kids with him. Our lovely Kemi herself is married to an oyinbo. Point is there are thinking factions of the international black community that put forward in depth arguments against such. But anyways....

Lol, I can't say why he didn't marry the sista. If my memory serves me correctly, I think she was the one who split up with him....but I'm not sure how much of this is urban legend lol
Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 3) by jedisco(m):
Cyberknight:
It is what it is. The fees, the rules and the possibility of these fees increasing were known to us before we came, so we have to swallow them. Of course, joined-up long-term thinking is not the politicians' strong suit, otherwise it would have occurred to someone that bankrupting or holding back the progress of the immigrants you do allow in with double taxation is most definitely not helpful to the country itself in the long run.
Keeps me wondering especially when you see self-entitled folks bring up the differential attainment of migrant groups as an excuse to chorus racist views of how they are 'low quality'

Despite all being said, the modern migration criteria for many western nations is so highly self-selective that the vast majority of their citizens would not meet the criteria if they were not already citizens. The result is that many of these migrants are driven and against all odds even after being settled keep grinding for themselves and kids. If not, what stops majority of them after 5yrs of paying all these from defaulting to join the millions on benefits?
Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 3) by Goke7: 9:11pm On Nov 03, 2024
jedisco:
She was always the favourite. Alot of recent events including Rishi's premiership helped pave the way. Takes nothing from her brilliance, eloquence and carriage but she sure did pander to her core demography. Now, she has arrived, I hope her premiership is not characterised by talking down on Nigerians cos her own party wouldn't waste time to devour her if the opportunity presents.

As said earlier, the dilema with trailblazers like her is that she could very well be a mouth piece for the most vile cohort of the thier party. She could say things that even Farage would struggle with voicing and people would find it hard to criticise her as she's 'black and immigrant'. I saw her dress down an MP from NI speaking against the narrative around migrants and theblady was in shock. She was not expecting it.
The NI lady shouldn’t be shocked if she understands politicking na. The result is where kemi is today.
Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 3) by lavida001: 11:10pm On Nov 03, 2024
This Monarchy system is so 300bc. Heard the royal family own all the lands in England.
Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 3) by okiki2121: 11:57am On Nov 04, 2024
Please House, i need your advice on how to go about my UK visa application. I want to travel with my family and i have a good balance in my account and have done all the application online, about to make payment but i want to ask about the documentation steps and how to go about it. Do i need to submit document on each of us or i will submit it together
Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 3) by jedisco(m): 12:49pm On Nov 04, 2024
Coincidentally stumbled on this. Discussions between the commonwealth is merited and hopefully thet turn out fruitful. It's not just about money - it could be an avenue for positive corporation.


In his first comments since 56 Commonwealth leaders signed a statement saying the time had come for a conversation about reparations, Lammy told the BBC that was not "the debate people are wanting to have". The UK government previously ruled out paying reparations for slavery and Downing Street said its position included "other forms of non-financial reparatory justice too". Lammy said the UK would instead look to develop relations with African nations through sharing skills and science.

During his first visit to Africa as foreign secretary, Lammy said reparations were not about money, "particularly at a time of a cost of living crisis". Reparations are measures to make amends for past actions deemed wrong or unfair. Cash payments - where a state gives money to a country whose communities it enslaved - are the most commonly understood type of reparations. But they can take many forms, including an official apology or investing in health and education.

Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 3) by Zahra29:
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/11/02/africa/children-face-death-penalty-cost-of-living-nigeria-intl-latam/index.html

Appalling news like the above is the real problem, and not anything Kemi says or doesn't say about Nigeria.

I hope those children are released asap. I saw the video and how emaciated and frightened they looked -really shocking and inhumane
Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 3) by Zahra29: 3:41pm On Nov 04, 2024
Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 3) by Goke7: 4:28pm On Nov 04, 2024
Zahra29:
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/education/labour-government-tuition-fees-rise-inflation-keir-starmer-education-b1184730.html

This Labour govt is certainly proving that they are not Blair's New Labour lol
They raise international students fees annually so what’s the problem here?
Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 3) by Zahra29: 4:45pm On Nov 04, 2024
Goke7:
They raise international students fees annually so what’s the problem here?
There's a cap on domestic tuition fees but not on international fees so universities are free to increase international fees as much as they like

The domestic fee cap will rise in line with inflation which makes sense - it should be a limited increase and spread over the next few years, unlike the massive increase in 2012. Hopefully they'll bring back grants for low income families.

Statement on Higher Education due this afternoon.
Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 3) by Cyberknight: 4:54pm On Nov 04, 2024
Zahra29:
There's a cap on domestic tuition fees but not on international fees so universities are free to increase international fees as much as they like

The domestic fee cap will rise in line with inflation which makes sense - it should be a limited increase and spread over the next few years, unlike the massive increase in 2012. Hopefully they'll bring back grants for low income families.

Statement on Higher Education due this afternoon.
Cue the Tories and more rhetoric about Mickey Mouse courses.
Nothing like a culture war to distract the people and rally the troops.
Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 3) by missjekyll: 4:56pm On Nov 04, 2024
lavida001:
This Monarchy system is so 300bc. Heard the royal family own all the lands in England.
Not all of it. Most of it. Charlie also owns all of the sea.
He was just caught charging the NHS 67% more than anyone for an ambulance park.
Yet he pays not a lick of tax and demands millions in yearly allowance .
Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 3) by Goke7: 5:20pm On Nov 04, 2024
Zahra29:
There's a cap on domestic tuition fees but not on international fees so universities are free to increase international fees as much as they like

The domestic fee cap will rise in line with inflation which makes sense - it should be a limited increase and spread over the next few years, unlike the massive increase in 2012. Hopefully they'll bring back grants for low income families.

Statement on Higher Education due this afternoon.
Yea, expectedly. Inflationary impact. As for grants? hmm 🤔
Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 3) by justwise(mod): 5:22pm On Nov 04, 2024
Zahra29:
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/11/02/africa/children-face-death-penalty-cost-of-living-nigeria-intl-latam/index.html

Appalling news like the above is the real problem, and not anything Kemi says or doesn't say about Nigeria.

I hope those children are released asap. I saw the video and how emaciated and frightened they looked -really shocking and inhumane
I saw this when VDM upoaded the vidoe on his channel and i saw shocked, this is just evil, a lawyer representing Nigerian govt even claimed that some of those kids are graduates and some are even married bla bla bla,.
Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 3) by Goke7: 5:22pm On Nov 04, 2024
missjekyll:
Not all of it. Most of it. Charlie also owns all of the sea.
He was just caught charging the NHS 67% more than anyone for an ambulance park.
Yet he pays not a lick of tax and demands millions in yearly allowance .
😂 In bini language parlance; oba no dey go transfer
Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 3) by justwise(mod): 5:28pm On Nov 04, 2024
jedisco:
She was always the favourite. Alot of recent events including Rishi's premiership helped pave the way. Takes nothing from her brilliance, eloquence and carriage but she sure did pander to her core demography. Now, she has arrived, I hope her premiership is not characterised by talking down on Nigerians cos her own party wouldn't waste time to devour her if the opportunity presents.

As said earlier, the dilema with trailblazers like her is that she could very well be a mouth piece for the most vile cohort of the thier party. She could say things that even Farage would struggle with voicing and people would find it hard to criticise her as she's 'black and immigran t'. I saw her dress down an MP from NI speaking against the narrative around migrants and theblady was in shock. She was not expecting it.
So on point!
Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 3) by justwise(mod): 6:16pm On Nov 04, 2024
Zahra29:
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/education/labour-government-tuition-fees-rise-inflation-keir-starmer-education-b1184730.html

This Labour govt is certainly proving that they are not Blair's New Labour lol
This is as a result of anti-immigration policies, now home students have to pay more as money from International students has dried up.
Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 3) by Rubyventures: 8:47pm On Nov 04, 2024
lavida001:
This Monarchy system is so 300bc. Heard the royal family own all the lands in England.
Just like in Bini where the Oba owns most of the land.
Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 3) by missjekyll: 10:08pm On Nov 04, 2024
We are being taxed heavily to pay for the NHS. This man, who doesn't pay enough taxes, charges exorbitant rent from that same NHS.

"What is he good for?! Absolutely nothing!
Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 3) by dustydee: 11:45pm On Nov 04, 2024
missjekyll:
We are being taxed heavily to pay for the NHS. This man, who doesn't pay enough taxes, charges exorbitant rent from that same NHS.

"What is he good for?! Absolutely nothing!
What about the hundreds of millions in tourism?
Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 3) by Zahra29:
Cyberknight:
Cue the Tories and more rhetoric about Mickey Mouse courses.
Nothing like a culture war to distract the people and rally the troops.
Lol, to be fair some courses were created by unis mainly to be money spinners, they offer little real world value despite saddling the graduate with tens of thousands of student debt.

Tories did a good job in reforming apprenticeships and changing people's perception - many students would be much better off with a degree apprenticeship over a conventional degree.
Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 3) by Zahra29: 1:55am On Nov 05, 2024
justwise:
This is as a result of anti-immigration policies, now home students have to pay more as money from International students has dried up.
In part; another key issue is that home fees have remained static for over 8 years. Universities had complained for a while that they were making a net loss of between £1k and £4k each year per home student because tuition fees have not kept up with inflation. So the government had to choose between increasing university funding to bridge this gap or raising tuition fees. Govt decided that the NHS needed funding more and went with the tuition fee increase.

Incidentally I read that 60% of UK universities are actually not facing a deficit and are doing very well financially.
Re: Living In The Uk-life Of An Immigrant (part 3) by missjekyll: 2:21am On Nov 05, 2024
dustydee:
What about the hundreds of millions in tourism?
1. Nobody goes to Buckingham to see this greedy family. It's to see the buildings.
2. We can only dream of the tourism figures for France who famously have no royal family.
3. Even if they were the most tourist drawing people on it, the burden they are placing on the people of the UK is too heavy. They need to go.

They are milking much needed funds from our public services. How dare he? Charging 67% more? From a trust that's laying off staff due to lack of funds?

N.B: They are taking a beating in the papers even daily mail commenters are having none of them today. It's about time smiley
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