- Advocacy and campaigning Initiatives
- Government and Parliamentary updates
- Reports and research
- Resources, events, jobs and training
- What we’re reading, watching and listening to
1. Advocacy and campaigning Initiatives
Fight for Asylum Rights
Urgent: Ask Your MP to Back Amendment NC1 – Reporting of Deaths in the Asylum System
The House of Commons Report Stage for the Border’s bill is now scheduled for 12 May 2025, and time is running out to secure MP support for our life-saving amendment. We’ve worked with Nadia Whittome MP to table Amendment NC1, which would finally require the Home Office to publish quarterly data on deaths in the asylum system – something that is shockingly not currently recorded or reported. Without transparency, lives continue to be lost in silence and in the shadows – we urgently need your voice to help bring these hidden deaths into the light.
Email your MP today and ask them to support the Amendment.
TAKE ACTION
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Write to your MP and ask them to add their signature to report stage amendment NC1.
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You can find your MP here.
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You can write your own message and share our parliamentary briefing on the amendment with them which you can find here.
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We are developing digital assets you can share on social media along with the hashtag #KnowTheirNames which we will be circulating soon
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Sign up to the Fight for Asylum Rights pledge to be added to our mailing list for the campaign and not miss out on any updates on the amendment and the bill at www.fighttheantirefugeelaws.org.
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Greater Manchester says NO! to the attack on citizenship rights
On 10th February 2025 the Government made changes to the ‘Good Character’ guidance it uses when considering citizenship applications. These changes say that people who entered the UK ‘illegally’ and / or arrived through ‘dangerous routes’ will normally be refused British citizenship, no matter how long they have been in the UK. As a result, over 25 organisations in Greater Manchester have joined together with ourselves, Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit, Boaz Trust and These Walls Must Fall to send a joint letter to all 27 Greater Manchester MPs and local council leads to ask them to stand with us in taking action to oppose the Government’s citizenship ban. You can read more about the action and the letter here.
Take action!
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Join together with others in your community to oppose the citizenship ban and ask for the changes to be reversed!
Asylum Seekers at Risk of Visa Barriers
The Government is reportedly considering restricting visa applications for some nationalities, citing concerns over rising asylum claims. This move risks reinforcing harmful narratives that conflate migration with threat, rather than acknowledging the complex reasons people seek safety. Our campaign is deeply concerned that such broad restrictions may unfairly target vulnerable individuals fleeing persecution and contradict the principles of international protection. We must stand against discriminatory policies and advocate for a fair and accessible asylum system for all who need it, regardless of their nationality. Read the BBC News article here.
Fighting for Fair Asylum Processes
The UK government’s new amendment to their own legislation aims to deny asylum to individuals convicted of serious sexual offences, sparking renewed concerns about the erosion of refugee protection. While accountability for serious crimes is essential, this law risks conflating criminal justice with asylum policy, setting a dangerous precedent, and veers into Trumpian territory of portraying asylum seekers as rapists. It is also unclear whether a change in law is necessary, considering the Refugee Convention already allows for asylum to be withheld in the case of serious offences. Read the full BBC News article here.
Lift the Ban
Amendments to the Borders Bill
We’ve been working with parliamentarians to bring forward amendments around working rights to the Borders Bill and one of them has now been published. Alex Sobel MP has tabled amendment NC2 at the Commons Report Stage which calls on the Government to report back to Parliament annually on working rights policies and allow for time for Parliament to debate and vote on these measures each year. We are also working with Peers to bring forward a substantive working rights amendment when the bill reaches the House of Lords. Find your MP here and write to them asking them to add their signature to Alex Sobel’s amendment NC2 and speak up for working rights at Report Stage.
We’ve developed a communications resource for any of our partners who are keen to speak out for Lift the Ban as part of upcoming campaign activity which includes social media assets and suggested posts, which you can find here.
Report launch coming up in Parliament – 13th May
On 13th May, the Lift the Ban coalition will be launching a new report with a parliamentary reception. We’ll share plans for the day in due course, including some social media resources you can use to help us get it out into the world. To find out more, join the coalition and never miss out on an update on the campaign fill out this form or contact [email protected].
Safety and Survival: How the Work Ban Fuels Violence Against Women Seeking Asylum
Women for Refugee Women have launched a new report, Safety and Survival: How the Work Ban Fuels Violence Against Women Seeking Asylum. The report finds that women who have sought safety in the UK are retraumatised and exposed to further harm by the ban on working, including sexual assault, abuse, and being forced into sex work. You can join the launch event on 13th May 12-1pm online here, and share the report on social media platforms (Bluesky, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook), with coverage in The Guardian here. Suggested social media post:
New report by @4refugeewomen / @4refugeewomen.bsky.social uncovers the harmful impact of the work ban on women, including sexual assault, abusive relationships, and being forced into sex work. It’s time to #LiftTheBan and give people seeking asylum the right to work!
https://www.refugeewomen.co.uk/safety-and-survival/
Asylum Poverty
Sadiq Khan’s Transport deputy has pledged to “better support” those arriving in the UK seeking protection, in terms of applying for discounts they may already be entitled to receive. This comes on the back of campaigning in London for free travel for people seeking asylum, and the London Assembly passing motion last year calling on Sir Sadiq Khan to provide asylum seekers with free bus travel for essential journeys. A definite step in the right direction.
2. Government and Parliamentary updates
Home Affairs Select Committee hears evidence on asylum accommodation
The Home Affairs Select Committee has heard evidence from representatives of NGOs, solicitors and local government in its enquiry examining asylum accommodation in the UK. The Committee heard evidence in relation to the accommodation contracts, standards in accommodation, inadequate safeguarding frameworks, plans for more equitable distribution of accommodation and views on proposals to decentralise accommodation provision. You can watch the session here.
Home Office to expand Artificial Intelligence use
The Home Office announced yesterday that artificial intelligence (AI) will be rolled out across asylum processing to help speed up decision making. More information here
NAO report on Home Office asylum accommodation contracts
This report has been prepared by the National Audit Office for the Home Affairs Committee as part of its inquiry into the delivery of asylum accommodation. It covers the main contracts for asylum accommodation and support.
3. Reports and research
Migration Observatory Briefing: Asylum Accommodation in the UK
The Migration Observatory has produced this briefing analysing the make-up of asylum accommodation in the UK
Report launch: The status of the UK refugee and migration sector in 2025
At the end of 2024, Migration Exchange commissioned targeted research to provide updated information and analysis on the profile and resources of the UK refugee and migration sector, including both NGOs and grant makers. Join them for the online launch on 13 May, where the authors will share key findings and analysis from their review of the sector, followed by a Q&A.
4. Resources, events, jobs and training
Free Refugee Week 2025 Film Programme
This year’s programme – taking place 16–22 June 2025 – features 5 powerful shorts and 2 acclaimed feature films. Watch at home or organise a community screening – completely free and available globally. Find out more here. For the full Refugee Week newsletter click here.
Right to Remain Knowledge is Power online workshop, evening session
Join Right to Remain on Wednesday 14 May for an evening session on Zoom, from 6pm – 8pm. In this workshop, they will cover:
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An introduction to the Right to Remain Toolkit and other guides, such as their legal updates, the Young Asylum Guide, and the Asylum Navigation Board.
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An overview of the stages of the asylum system, including the changes brought in by recent legislation.
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The difference between legal advice and legal support.
Family Reunion Information Webpage
The British Red Cross has launched a refreshed family reunion travel assistance webpage, which provides information for those living in the UK as a refugee or with humanitarian protection, who may have been separated from their families due to armed conflict, persecution, disasters and migration. The page signposts the service, criteria and eligibility for the most vulnerable families who have family members with family reunion visas living overseas. The page also features an explainer animation in English, Arabic, Farsi, French and Tigrinya.
Jobs
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Doctors of the World UK recruiting for: Policy and Advocacy Officer, a Challenge Events and Community Officer and a Head of Fundraising and Communications. All information here
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Refugee Legal Support are recruiting for Solicitor/Caseworker. Deadline 23rd May
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South London Refugee Association are recruiting for a Youth/Caseworker. Deadline 9am 26th May
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Asylum Reform Initiative/Together with Refugees are recruiting for a Deputy Director. Deadline 20th May
5. What we’re reading, watching and listening to
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Government hands private firms £3bn in bid to ‘stop the boats’ outlines the research done by the Channel Crossings research team into the private companies who are making profits on contracts related to border security.
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Big Issue investigation into the legal aid crisis offers a really clear explanation of how impossibly difficult the asylum system is for so many people.
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