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Other than the fact that the UK economy would be completely fucked without immigrants, this is nonsense because family visas explicitly prevent the recipient from accessing public funds. As a foreign national staying in the UK on a temporary spousal visa, Brandon, for example, is not entitled to claim benefits. But like many people in the UK, he's finding it impossible to get a job. "Times are really tough and there aren't a lot of jobs out there," he tells me. "I apply for jobs and no one calls me back.""Brandon has attended interviews where employers have been impressed with his enthusiasm and skills, and has been offered irregular part-time or zero-hour contract work," says Pete. "But this is not an option as his wife's ESA and housing benefit are stopped when he works. And she needs professional help to fill in forms and to get letters of support from social services to evidence her condition each time he stops or starts work. To date she has done this eight times, and finds it a dehumanizing and distressing process."Currently, Brandon contributes to the community by doing voluntary work at an environmental recycling center. He says he would accept any job offered and would even consider moving elsewhere—"anywhere in the world"—because the job market in Swansea is so bad. But of course, this is difficult to do without any money to make a new start with.Brandon's wife has lost her disability payment of $92 per week, leaving both her and Brandon struggling to survive on a reduced amount, intended for only one person.
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