Outline
Protest message claims that asylum seekers in the UK receive a substantially higher weekly allowance from the British government than do British pensioners.
Brief Analysis
The claims in the message are untrue. In fact, asylum seekers who come to the UK do not receive more financial assistance from the British government than British pensioners do. The payment figures quoted in the message are not accurate. The rumour is a UK based version of earlier and equally false messages that have circulated in Canada, the US and Australia.
Example
Subject: FW: Pensioners v Asylum seekers
So ‘Pathetically’ True …
OH BRITAIN ~ ABOUT RIGHT!!
We’re “broke” & can’t help our own Seniors, Veterans, Orphans, Homeless etc.,?????????
Are you aware of the following?
The British Government provides the following financial assistance: –
NOW YOU KNOW WHY PENSIONERS ARE UP IN ARMS
| BENEFIT | BRITISH OLD AGED PENSIONER | ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS / REFUGEES LIVING IN BRITAIN |
| Weekly allowance | £100 | £250 |
| Weekly Spouse allowance | £25 | £225 |
| Additional weekly hardship allowance | £0;00 | £100 |
| TOTAL YEARLY BENEFIT | £6,000 | £29,900 |
If I was a refugee, why would I look for work?
Please forward to all your contacts so that we can lobby for an increase in the old-age pension.
After all, the average pensioner has paid taxes and contributed to the growth of this country for the last 40 to 60 years.
Original Source : https://www.hoax-slayer.com/uk-pensioners-asylum-seekers-protest.shtml