UK population limits. Economic models.

[Lazy Lob]

The following has nothing to do with race or culture. It has to do with numbers and economics.

We keep on being told that our ever ageing population needs replenishing with immigrants. Pensions, work force etc. are often cited.

But these immigrants will get social security coverage and eventually get old as well.

So when does a nation like the UK draw the line? When our population is 100 million or even 200 million? Here in the south east we are bursting at the seams and Brown is about to announce new measures for housing. I just hope he doesn’t continue Two Shags brown and green field projects here in the south east. It looks like we are just delaying a big problem that’s getting exponentially larger as time goes on.

Are there any alternative economic models that don’t just rely on hiding the symptoms? I have searched the web but can find little.

[Thumpsquid]

Bit hard to reduce the number of houses needed if the population keeps growing. Unless you were to consider mandatory sterilization to reduce the overall population. And don't forget, those people who move here, and pay there taxes, are actually going to be helping to pay for our aging populations' social care. Or do you believe that if the money is got from an immigrants wages, it is some how unclean?

[Lazy Lob]

Bit hard to reduce the number of houses needed if the population keeps growing. Unless you were to consider mandatory sterilization to reduce the overall population. And don't forget, those people who move here, and pay there taxes, are actually going to be helping to pay for our aging populations' social care. Or do you believe that if the money is got from an immigrants wages, it is some how unclean?

Whaaat?

I think you have misunderstood the question completely.

[Pigdog]

Probably not the most appropriate place to vent my frustrations. Edit

[Lazy Lob]

Ok gents. My point is that if we have a population of 60 million and we’ve screwed up pensions and labour force replacement and we are not changing the way things work, then it will be the same situation if not far worse when we have 150 million.

What will the fix be then? More people? There’s obviously a limit for this island.

Seems we are going to leave a real mess for our children.

[wotsnext]

The maths dont seem to make sense....More imigration to support the retired etc, We will simply run out of space.

[Rictor]

Ok gents. My point is that if we have a population of 60 million and we’ve screwed up pensions and labour force replacement and we are not changing the way things work, then it will be the same situation if not far worse when we have 150 million.

What will the fix be then? More people? There’s obviously a limit for this island.

Seems we are going to leave a real mess for our children.

Japan is doing fine on less territory with 130 million people. If you're talking about sheer space, there's plenty of it if you build with density in mind, as they do in Asia.

[MichaelF]

Keep the immigration rate, but only allow in women.

No fatties.

[-Angel-]

Those who are already in the country need to contribute first. Then other options can be explored after. This is directed at anyone who considers sitting on 'tax credits' to be a career choice.

Also, a government willing to spend sensibly on socially beneficial plans, instead of throwning money at gimmicks and posturing [millenium dome, 2012 olympics, etc].

Although neither of the above are likely to change in my life time.

[Mu-Meson]

Its all demographics now. With a birthrate below replacement levels, Britain is going to have a rapidly aging population that needs to be supported by a shrinking population of people of working age. The problems isn't going to be 150 million people squeezed into Britain, its going to be 60 million people, half of whom are over 60 yrs old, and the other half are unintegrated immigrants from North Africa, Asia, Middle East etc.
With a birthrate below 2.1 kids per couple, the population will shrink. Thats fact. The only thing preventing this is massive immigration. Where are the immigrants coming from? Democratic nations? No. Are these immigrants being integrated into society, and instilled with British (aka western) values? No. Added to this exponential problem is that the British ain't breeding but the immigrants are.

[Laworkerbee]

Keep the immigration rate, but only allow in women.

No fatties.

Now that is brilliant!

[Lazy Lob]

Japan is doing fine on less territory with 130 million people. If you're talking about sheer space, there's plenty of it if you build with density in mind, as they do in Asia.

Less terrirtory than the UK? I may not be the sharpest tool in the box but Japan has 378.000 km2. The UK has 245.000 km2. That makes Japan 54% larger than the UK. Anyway that's what wiki says. Also Japan is not importing large numbers of people (in the same sense as the UK) to cover up a pensions and labour problem.

[Aeroflot]

Just outlaw the sale of birth control and the UK will be just fine.

[Ordie]

Why not have the government buy land and set up housing in Southern Spain for pensioners.

That will free up more housing for first-time buyers in the UK.