The unnamed woman said she likes the UK because ‘everything is free’ (Image: x)
A Muslim convert says living in England is “the best” because “everything is free”, including treatment for her medical issues. The Filipino woman, who was interviewed on the streets of Whitechapel as part of a documentary about mass immigration by Steven Edington, described the east London district as a “Muslim area” with a “big Bangladeshi community”.
Asked what she thinks of the UK, she said: “It’s the best because I have my heart problem, I have my diabetes and everything is free. It’s the best when it comes to benefits, especially your medical. I don’t have any problem, they just deliver my maintenance and it’s free.”
She went on to claim she had passed the UK citizenship examination in “just one click”. It comes amid backlash to rising migration levels, largely concentrated on parts of the south coast in response to small boat arrivals.
Protests broke out following the arrival of several migrant dinghies from Normandy, including a vessel carrying 51 people in early October. The provisional total for Channel crossings this year is 20,935, down 41% on this time last year and around a fifth lower than in 2023 and 2024.
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It comes amid a row over what constitutes the English identity between the Conservatives and Reform UK, after Suella Braverman suggested only white people can be English. Kemi Badenoch accused the party of “taking us backwards” and wanting to “debate whether my mixed-race children are English” in her conference speech.
The Muslim convert was interviewed on the streets of Whitechapel in east London (Image: Getty)
Concerns over immigration have boiled over in recent years and months (Image: Getty)
Robert Jenrick, treasury spokesperson for Reform, doubled down on Ms Braverman’s comments, insisting that “millions and millions” of people living in Britain “are not culturally or ethnically English”. Mr Jenrick was heavily criticised last year for complaining about not seeing “another white face” in an area of Birmingham, which he cited as a failure of integration.
Nigel Farage pledged this week to ban anyone from being granted asylum in Britain for five years if Reform were elected, saying all asylum tribunals, legal refugee routes and resettlement schemes would be scrapped and he would not hear the 90,000 outstanding asylum and humanitarian appeals, instead deporting the claimants.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced further restrictions on migrants using human rights claims to prevent their removal from the UK earlier this month, with the new rules intended to crack down on “loopholes” and people making “last-minute” claims.
The amendments to the Immigration and Asylum Bill, set to be discussed by a committee of MPs over the coming month, will make last-minute asylum claims without a good reason count against a migrant’s credibility while deciding whether they can stay in the country.
Ms Mahmood said: “The British public must trust that their immigration system is secure, controlled and not open to abuse. These reforms will protect its integrity, prevent exploitation and ensure that those with no right to be here are swiftly removed. This builds on our work to ramp up removals and slash asylum costs, while providing sanctuary to those who need it.”
Muslim Convert Explains Why UK Is ‘Best’ as She Says ‘Everything Is Free’
A street interview in east London has sparked renewed debate about immigration, the British welfare system and access to healthcare after a Filipino woman who converted to Islam explained why she enjoys living in the United Kingdom.
The woman, whose identity was not disclosed in the report, praised Britain for providing medical treatment and support that she said had made managing her health conditions easier. Speaking in Whitechapel, an area of London with a substantial Bangladeshi community, she described the UK as “the best” because she could receive treatment for her heart condition and diabetes without facing the costs she associated with healthcare elsewhere. Her comments were reported by AOL on October 12, 2026, following an interview conducted as part of a documentary about immigration by filmmaker Steven Edginton. <Cite refs={[“turn756510search0”]}/>
The interview quickly became part of a wider conversation about what attracts people to Britain, how public services are funded and whether the country’s immigration system is operating fairly. While some viewers may interpret her comments as evidence of the appeal of public support, others may see them as the account of an individual who values access to healthcare while managing long-term medical conditions.
The distinction matters. One person’s experience can illuminate an important issue, but it cannot establish the motivations of all migrants or demonstrate how the entire welfare system operates.
Why She Says Britain Is the Best Place to Live
In the interview, the woman spoke about her heart condition and diabetes, explaining that access to treatment and medication was a major reason she appreciated living in Britain.
For people managing long-term health problems, reliable medical care can make an enormous difference to everyday life. Regular appointments, appropriate medication and access to hospital services can help people manage their conditions and reduce the financial anxiety that may accompany a serious diagnosis.
Her comments suggested that she valued the security of knowing that medical support was available when she needed it. Rather than describing Britain solely in terms of employment opportunities, lifestyle or cultural attractions, she placed healthcare and financial assistance at the centre of her explanation.
She also referred to the benefits system, presenting it as another positive feature of living in the country. However, the interview did not establish the precise benefits she receives, the eligibility rules that apply to her or the circumstances under which her healthcare is provided.
That missing context is important when assessing claims that “everything is free”. The phrase expresses her personal impression; it should not be interpreted as a literal description of every public service available in Britain.
For someone facing ongoing medical expenses, the ability to receive treatment without paying the full cost at the point of use can be particularly valuable. It is understandable that such support might influence how a person evaluates life in a new country.
The broader question is how individual experiences fit into a national system funded largely through taxation and governed by eligibility rules.
How the NHS Actually Works
Britain’s National Health Service is one of the country’s most significant public institutions. In England, most NHS services are funded through general taxation and are generally provided without direct charges when eligible patients receive care.
This does not mean every treatment, medicine or service is free for everyone. Prescription charges, dental fees and other costs can apply, although exemptions and assistance are available to eligible groups. The rules may also differ depending on the service, the person’s circumstances and their immigration status.
For people with chronic conditions, the system can offer substantial support. Diabetes, for example, may require regular monitoring, medical consultations and medication. Some patients qualify for free NHS prescriptions because of their medical circumstances, while other patients may pay charges unless they meet an exemption criterion.
The woman’s interview did not provide enough detail to determine which arrangements applied to her. It would therefore be inaccurate to assume that her experience represents the circumstances of every foreign national or every person receiving public healthcare.
The distinction between healthcare that is free at the point of use and healthcare that has no cost is also essential. The NHS is not costless: its staff, hospitals, equipment and medicines require funding. The principle is that many eligible patients do not have to pay the full price of treatment when they receive it.
That model reflects a long-standing British approach to public healthcare. It also explains why debates about taxation, NHS waiting times, staffing and public spending are closely connected to discussions about the future of the service.
For patients, the immediate concern is often whether they can obtain the treatment they need. For policymakers, the challenge is to ensure that services remain accessible while resources are used effectively and eligibility rules are applied consistently.