Brits oppose Bermudian benefit seekers

U.K. taxpayers have reacted angrily to our reports that Bermudian single mums are emigrating to their country to take advantage of the benefits system.

The Bermuda Sun reported last week on an increasing trend for poor families to move to the U.K., where they can receive Housing Allowance and Child Benefit as well as Financial Assistance from the state and free healthcare on the NHS.

The story highlighted the plight of single mothers in Bermuda. Many are owed thousands of dollars in unpaid child support payments from their babies’ fathers and feel they have no choice but to seek a cheaper lifestyle overseas.

But few, among the many posters on our website, were sympathetic. Letter writers were similarly aghast.

Natalie Johnson, summed up the feeling towards women who had several children with different dads.

“Please ladies turn your brain on! Don’t sleep with losers! And if you can’t use your brain, please use condoms. Don’t breed losers.”

Another commentator, Jared Li, took up the theme.

“Ok, so these women sleep around and THEN worry about deadbeat dads. You would think ‘intelligent’ people would first spend time with a guy, learn about them, make sure they aren’t a loser before jumping into bed with them. And the dads are considered deadbeats.”

Others were angrier still and turned their ire on Sheelagh Cooper, whose Coalition for the Protection of Children, has helped Bermudian mums to move to the U.K..

Disgusted

“As a U.K taxpayer,” wrote Paulo Merchant, “I am absolutely disgusted with Sheelagh Cooper’s irresponsible actions in actively encouraging Bermudian women to take advantage of a benefit system to which they have never contributed a single penny”.

Another reader from the U.K. complained: “I am a single parent living in London and working full-time. It’s taxpayers like me who have to give to these lazy people.”

Wiaruz Wiaruz added: “I can just see how this story will play out once the U.K. newspapers get hold of it. More scrounging foreigners taking advantage of the U.K.’s free benefits having contributed zippo to the economy.”

Others drew attention to the sometimes hostile attitude displayed towards the U.K. and questioned how independence advocates would feel about the issue.

Kelly Bermuda wrote: “I wonder how many of these folks were/are pro-independence for Bermuda?

“It would be interesting to learn how they’d feel about it if their ability to relocate to the U.K and kick back and receive benefits were taken away from them?

“You don’t honestly think that an independent Bermuda is going to allow its people to hold U.K. passports, do you?”

Another poster, Karla Phillips, took a different view of the U.K.-Bermuda relationship.

“Let Britain as mother to her island jewel help care for Bermudians in-need and in-turn allow peacefully for single mothers who need her protection, better provide for their young.”

There were a few more supportive voices against the chorus of dissent.

One reader, Nichole Zuill, suggested Bermudians who wanted to find a better life should ‘get packing’.

“Here in England, everyone can look like a star (primark) all the while saving a few pence... And food costs are cheaper as well. How bout a loaf of bread for 35 pence? which is 54 cents! and we aren’t even gonna begin to talk about milk!”

Others warned life in the English benefits system may not be quite so rosy and pointed out that David Cameron’s Conservative-led coalition Government was already starting to cut benefits.

Letters: Single moms move to U.K. for benefit cash