The Script, Live at Portsmouth Pyramids

Really enjoyed the show, I’m really glad this new band from Dublin are doing so well!

All Rights Reserved © Laura Callan Photography

www.lauracallan.com

As Immigration Levels Increase British Citizens Flock to Foreign Soils.

By Laura Callan

Most people will know about the amount of immigrants entering the UK, but less know how many people are leaving.

While over half a million people came to the UK in 2005, nearly 400 000 people left, and over half of these were British citizens.

The annual level of migration from the UK has risen steadily each year since 1997, where 251 000 people moved abroad. Britain now has more people living abroad than almost any other country, according to The Office of National Statistics.

The most popular destination is Australia, followed by Spain and France.

With so many people coming to the UK in search of a better life, it seems to be that some are leaving for the same reason.

The most common reasons people have for wanting to leave the UK are cost of living and quality of life. Janet Stevens and her family moved from Manchester to New Zealand in 2005, as their children approached teenage years, causing them to “become more concerned about their futures here”. They listed high crime rates, risk of terrorism, cost of education and housing as their main reasons, and have settled well in New Zealand, finding it “amazingly easy” to find employment.

A majority of people choosing to make the move are concerned about the “yob culture” of drinking and violence in Britain, and the lack of pride and respect in British communities.

Many who have left the UK are much happier in their new lives, a majority only missing the UK because of family and friends. Many have also experienced reverse culture shock when returning to the UK, stunned by aspects they were once accustomed to.

Kerry Moynihan and her family are currently in the planning stages of moving to Ireland from London. Kerry and her husband have both lived in London since birth despite Irish backgrounds, and are raising their three children in the city.
She said, “I feel that the economy in this country is working against us. My husband is a builder and I work in childcare. Both of these industries are now flooded with people from outside the UK living and working here.

“Although on a personal level I don’t have a problem with any nationality we just cannot compete with the kind of rates that these groups of people are charging for their services.”

It was recently reported in the news that the builders renovating Tony Blair’s house in Connaught Square were not UK-born residents. This has caused some upset with many British builders who are now struggling to find work and keep up with lowering rates of pay.

“It feels like a bit of a kick in the teeth,” Kerry said. “My husband and myself have always worked and presumed there would always be work there for us. Now even the Prime Minister would rather employ somebody cheaper, although maybe not as experienced.

“Our lifestyle has been set to function on a certain income, and not a particularly high one, and now we can’t seem to maintain that. Last year we sold our house as we would have lost it if we tried to stay. We just feel forced to go somewhere where these problems don’t exist.”

Crime and its effects on the young is one of the most common and important factors that appear to be pushing people from the UK. While a selection of frantic parents are purchasing stab and bulletproof vests for their children, senior police officers are warning that perpetrators and victims of gun crime are becoming younger. Kerry, who has three children aged 19, 13 and seven, is one of many parents across the UK becoming increasingly alarmed by this issue.

“I am getting increasingly worried about the level of crime in this country, particularly amongst the young.” She said. “I have two children at school and don’t want to spend the next ten years frantic every time one of them is late home in case something has happened to them on the bus.

“It’s a very real problem these days and I want to protect them from living in this type of environment. We shouldn’t have to live like this but people in this country seem to have accepted it and given the power to the wrong groups.”

It has recently been reported that the feeling of pride in Britain is on the decrease. The National Centre for Social Research discovered that British pride has fallen by 10% since 1981, with only 45% of the population feeling ‘very proud’ to be British. Many believe that Britain no longer has any form of culture or national identity.

The rate of British citizens leaving the UK is steadily rising. With so many concerns and problems faced by our own communities, coupled with this reported decrease in national pride, it may be somewhat understandable why so many are choosing to leave for foreign soil.

Animal Rights: The Fight Goes On

© Laura Callan Photography
(Written June 2007 for Portsmouth News)
By Laura Callan

When raids were carried out across the UK, Netherlands and Belgium last month, arresting 30 people, it made international news.

For Southsea Animal Action, this meant two of their full-time members being arrested in their homes in dawn swoops.

Tom Harris, 23 and Nicci Tapping, 25 were both arrested on suspicion of Conspiracy to Blackmail, and later released on police bail. Both uphold that they have never been involved in any criminal activity regarding animal rights.

Southsea Animal Action are involved with the Southern Animal Rights Coalition, and members regularly arrange marches and protests against animal cruelty. Tom Harris said of the group: “We campaign for the rights of all animals.”

Days after the raids took place the newly released campaigners attended a group meeting ready to carry on promoting their cause. Upon arrival, Tom Harris joked, “We haven’t planned anything because we’ve been arrested for the past few days”.

Talking about their current campaigns, he later said, “We’re trying to get fur out of the area, and stop the sale of foie gras in Portsmouth and Southsea. “We’re trying to work with the council and local MPs to actually get a ban on the sale of foie gras in the area”

The group are also in talks with local shopping centres Gunwharf Quays and Cascades to stop and prevent the sale of fur in the future. Fur garments are currently still being sold in the Guess and Dune stores in Gunwharf Quays.

The production of fur has been banned in the UK but is still imported from fur farms abroad. There have been many undercover investigations by animal rights supporters into the treatment of animals in fur farms. Tom told us, “The way animals are killed for fur is quite horrific: the stunning methods used are inadequate, often when they’re skinned they’re alive and fully conscious, they’re anally electrocuted, and sometimes gassed by CO2 car emissions.

“It really is a horrific industry; I’d suggest that anyone who wants to find out more visit our www.furfreesouth.com website which has a lot of information about the fur trade.” The group welcome anyone to get involved; information is available at www.sarconline.com