Stopping migrant boats should have been only priority say IOM as numbers rise again
ACCORDING to the International Organisation for Migration the number of migrants travelling to Greece from Turkey by boat is rising aga
The number of migrants travelling to Greece from Turkey by boat is rising again
Officials are unsure why this is the case. A spokesman said that possible explanations include “better weather” and smugglers becoming “more creative”.
What can be said for certain is that efforts to implement a lasting solution to the migrant crisis have been ineffective.
The EU’s trumpeted deal with Turkey has failed to stem the tide. Efforts to foster peace in Syria and to support the forces of law and order in Iraq and Libya have fallen woefully short.
As jihadists run rampant there is no hope of displaced people being able to return to their homes in the near future.
Meanwhile the warm welcome European leaders gave to migrants last year has only encouraged people in search of a better life to risk the dangerous journey.
In rolling out the red carpet, leaders – most notably Angela Merkel – have also placed an unbearable burden on their own people.
The IOM say that stopping the boats should be the priority
Throughout this crisis there should have been one overriding priority: stopping the boats. It is true, as the IOM says, that we will never stop 100 per cent of them.
However, by creating safe zones on the North African coast and returning all intercepted boats there we could have drastically curtailed the number of attempts being made.
Liberals would no doubt have denounced such actions as callous and uncaring. But it would have saved many lives and protected Europe from an unmanageable influx.
People are struggling to retire comfortably as pensions aren't enough
Another pension rip-off
From next year savers will be able to cash in their annuities.
For those trapped in low-value schemes this should be a welcome relief but the Financial Conduct Authority has warned that they could face huge charges if they choose to take advantage of the new rules.
Pensions saving is a minefield. It sometimes seems that savers are in trouble no matter what they choose to do with their money.
With such poor options available is it any wonder that so many retirees are struggling to get by or that a large proportion of working-age people are failing to save enough?
Sue Perkins is embroiled in a planning row with neighbours
Bake Off planning row
Temperatures are rising in north London where Bake Off star Sue Perkins has become embroiled in a planning row with neighbours.
It’s food for thought for planning officials but let’s hope the conflict can be resolved amicably. That really would be the icing on the cake.