Advocacy Update – 30th October 2024Our fortnightly summary of advocacy and campaigning initiatives, new research, government developments and useful resources from across the asylum, refugee and migration sector. Contact us if you’d like to discuss anything in this bulletin. |
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Lift the Ban A big thank you to everyone who attended the Lift the Ban Coalition online gathering on the 21st October. We heard some fantastic campaigners from right across the UK working to lift the ban on working rights for people seeking asylum, and are developing big plans for the months ahead. If your organisation hasn’t joined the coalition yet, email [email protected] to sign up to Lift the Ban Coalition updates, feedback on the new campaign strategy and be the first to hear about the latest news and events. Also, don’t forget to use and share our new parliamentary briefing and template letter to engage your MPs on the right to work. Communities Not Camps Campaigners have welcomed the latest report of the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, which draws attention to systemic issues in contingency asylum accommodation and in particular the conditions at ex-MDP Wethersfield – coverage here and here. Meanwhile, it has been reported that residents of the Bibby Stockholm will be off the barge by Christmas, and the Government has begun the process of decommissioning ex-RAF Scampton following its decision not to proceed with placing people in the site. Fair Begins Here Together with Refugees are holding an online meeting for partners on local MP engagement on Monday 11 November from 5-6.30pm – register here. The Fair Begins Here local engagement toolkit provides resources to help engage your MP on the Fair Begins Here promise. No To Hassockfield! Hundreds of campaigners from across the UK gathered in Derwentside to mark the 40th consecutive month of protests outside Derwentside Immigration Removal Centre and call for the end of detention of women at the facility. Coverage on the BBC and in North East Bylines. This week, there has been a tragic loss of life at Brook House Immigration Removal Centre, and also findings of ‘missed opportunities’ at the inquest of Mr Frank Ospina, who died in Colnbrook Immigration Removal Centre in 2023. Day of Action on Visa Fees Migrant Voice are holding a day of action on visa fees and long settlement routes. More information here and sign up here for their online rally on 31 October at 6pm. |
Channel deaths (trigger warning) A baby died after an overloaded boat sank in the Channel off the coast of Wissant, northern France of 17 October; three further people died in an incident on 23 October and another man lost his life on 27 October. These losses bring the number of deaths in the Channel this year to at least 57. Campaigners continue to call for the Government to open safe routes urgently, with Wanda Wyporska from Safe Passage International saying “we cannot normalise or accept this.” E Visa providers announced The Government has published a list of organisations providing support on the transition to E-Visas in the regions and nations of the UK. Private Members Refugees (Family Reunion) Bill A private members bill on refugee family reunion introduced by Baroness Hamwee has had its second reading in the House of Lords. Debate here Manston The Government has made a U-turn on the decision by the previous Government to hold a statutory inquiry into overcrowding and deplorable conditions at Manston processing centre in 2022, opting instead for a non-statutory inquiry. A judicial review which had been shelved as a result of the previous Government’s decision will now take place in November. Report of HMIP into short-term holding facilities at Western Jet Foil, Manston and Kent intake Units An unannounced inspection of the three short-term holding facilities found levels of tension had diminished; however, many people, including young children, were there for far too long and vulnerabilities were not always identified. Coverage here. Review of adults at risk policy Ministers have committed to a review of the Adults at Risk policy and other key detention safeguards, including consultation with NGOs, during consideration of the Immigration (Guidance on Detention of Vulnerable Persons) Regulations 2024 in the Lord’s Grand Committee. Debate here Afghan ‘triples’ review Luke Pollard MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary for Defence updated the House of Commons on an ongoing review of the ARAP scheme, particularly in relation to former members of Afghan specialist forces (the ‘triples’). Some eligible people will now be able to relocate to the UK. Debate here, coverage here. Removals A removal flight sending ‘a record number’ of people from Nigeria and Ghana left the UK on 18 October, with Fizza Qureshi of Migrant Rights Network commenting: ‘We are extremely shocked at the cruelty of these deportations, especially with the speed, secrecy and lack of access to legal support.’ |
Institute for Public Policy Research: Transforming Asylum Accommodation The IPPR has released a report calling for the end of ineffective use of resources on asylum accommodation and putting forward a reimagined approach to asylum housing. It proposes decentralising asylum accommodation services to regional bodies, making the case for the use of contract breaks to reform the system, starting with pathfinder regions; closing failing large sites; and providing integration from day one. Coverage in the Big Issue, Independent and Yorkshire Post. Refugee Council: Rescue, Recovery and Reform – towards an effective asylum system This report sets out the state of the asylum system when the new Government came into power, the early steps taken and recommendations for next steps. Key recommendations include an immediate repeal of the Illegal Migration Act and Safety of Rwanda Act; moving away from the current system of private accommodation contracts and instead empowering councils to provide value-for-money housing; extending the move-on period, and expanding safe routes, amongst others. Coverage in the Guardian, and the Telegraph. Amnesty International UK: briefing – a fair and efficient process for making asylum decisions This briefing sets out steps to reform the asylum decision-making process in the interests of fairness and efficiency. Resources for MPs about immigration detention Detention Action, in collaboration with Bail for Immigration Detainees, Medical Justice and the Immigration Law Practitioners Association (ILPA) has produced a series of introductory briefings for use in contacts with MPs, or as an introduction for anyone interested in the harms caused. Migration Observatory: Afghan asylum seekers and refugees in the UK This briefing presents statistics on the number of Afghans arriving by small boat in the UK as well as those resettled under the ARAP and ACRS schemes. Mental Health Foundation: policy perspective The Mental Health Foundation has published this policy summary on changes needed to improve the mental health of people seeking asylum and refugees in the UK. Ready, Willing and Able: the cost of not allowing survivors in the NRM to work This report from Kalayaan highlights the benefits to be gained and costs to be saved by allowing those in the National Referral Mechanism who do not have the right to work while awaiting their Conclusive Grounds decision to do so. |
Workshops on the use of AI in the asylum system Migrants Rights Network are holding a series of workshops in the South of England exploring the effect of artificial intelligence (AI) on people going through the asylum system. More information here. Free Consultancy & Mentoring Support For Refugee & Asylum Charities The Cranfield Trust are providing free management consultancy and mentoring support specifically for refugee and asylum seeker charities across the UK. Resource re: consultation on family visas Reunite Families UK has prepared a guide to help individuals submit evidence to the Migration Advisory Committee’s call for evidence on the financial requirements of family visas, including the Minimum Income Requirement. They recommend preparing the questions on a document before using these links to submit it: “responding in a personal capacity or responding on behalf of a group, organisation or government body.” The deadline for submissions is 11 December. Take Your MP to Work campaign event in Parliament Migrants Organise and Young Legal Aid Lawyers are running a campaign to highlight the need for good legal support and the lack of legal aid providers. The campaign will have an event in Westminster Hall on 4 November. They have speakers on the subject, and many MPs have been invited. You can book tickets to attend here. Jobs:
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