ONCE again Hag Fold estate in Atherton is being lined up as a convenient 'dumping ground' for asylum seekers, by both the New Labour government and Wigan Council (Journal March 23).
Most people in the area will find it a disgrace that at a time when our essential services are breaking down from lack of investment (NHS -- Wigan Infirmary A&E at breaking point, Journal March 23) and transport -- no Leigh rail link, to quote your item "are set to benefit from close to a quarter of a million pounds" and that "asylum seekers (will be) flooding in to the area".
The Journal also stated that Wigan Council will use this money to provide accommodation over the next five years!
A 79 per cent increase on current levels, with government spending on asylum seekers tipped to exceed £1 billion per annum.
Why Hag Fold again? Which according to official sources has major problems already, yet both New Labour and the Lib/Dems have remained silent on the issue with a by-election under way.
It seems that only the Conservatives are willing to tackle this problem in a practical way, by putting ALL asylum seekers in to secure accommodation until their cases are processed -- saving communities such as Hag Fold from an unwanted influx of people with an unknown background.
Concerned Atherton Resident
(Name and address supplied)
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