3rd December 2025 General

Advocacy Update 3 December 2025

1. Advocacy and campaigning initiatives
2. Government and Parliamentary updates
3. Reports and research
4. Resources, events, jobs and training
5. What we’re reading, watching and listening to

1. Advocacy and campaigning initiatives

Call on your local council to fight the new anti-refugee laws
Since the passage of the 2022 Nationality and Borders Act and the 2023 Illegal Migration Act, over 500 charities, faith groups, local authorities, businesses, and unions, together with dozens of cross-party MPs and Lords, have signed a national pledge to fight these anti-refugee laws.

Local councils up and down the country have backed the Fight the Anti-Refugee Laws campaign (now part of the wider Fight for Asylum Rights campaign), passing motions opposing anti-refugee legislation and signing the pledge. On the 17th November 2025, the Home Secretary announced a radical overhaul of the UK’s refugee protection system. The Government itself called these changes the most significant change to the asylum system since the Second World War: this is true. In fact, this new attack on asylum rights puts the very principles of humanitarian protection, established after the horrors witnessed during the Second World War, under threat.

It’s very clear: these planned new anti-refugee laws and policies must be resisted in every community across the UK. Once again, we need local councils to join the fight for a compassionate refugee protection system. Campaigners, organisations and members of the public are encouraged to write to their Local Councillors and ask them to join the fightback. 

TAKE ACTION:

New report by Humans for Rights Network on the escalation of border violence
2024 was the deadliest year on record for Channel crossings, with at least 82 people losing their lives including at least 15 children – and new research by our partners Humans for Rights Network links these record deaths to an escalation of border violence by the UK and French Governments throughout 2024 and 2025.

Their new report ‘Can’t Stay, Can’t Go’ documenting the escalating border violence and the harm it is causing will be launched at a parliamentary reception on the 8th December, and we have produced an easy tool for you to ask your MP to attend.

TAKE ACTION:

  • Use our easy letter-writing tool to invite your MP to the vital parliamentary event on the escalation of border violence on the 8th December

Lift the Ban statement on working rights implications of new asylum policies
The Lift the Ban Coalition have published a statement responding to the possible implications for working rights of the recent Asylum Policy Statement published by the Government, making clear that the coalition would never support a mandate to work or any weaponisation of work that could penalise those unable to work, which you can read here.

Consultation on ‘illegal’ working

The Government has launched a consultation open to all employers across the UK on widening right to work checks in an effort to tackle ‘illegal working’.

We believe the measures being consulted on represent an expansion of the hostile environment which could cause significant harm, and are a missed opportunity to take the single best step to address irregular working: lifting the ban on work. We’re therefore encouraging all employers to respond to the consultation. Whether you’re a business, a charity, or any other entity that employs staff, you can have your say.

TAKE ACTION

  • This briefing document offers a guide to responding to the consultation. Any organisation which employs people is encouraged to respond before the deadline on December 10. 

Open letter on Refugee Week 2026
With the UK government’s recent announcements on asylum plans and increasing hostility to refugees around the world, Counterpoints Arts (the coordinators of Refugee Week) are calling on the arts & culture sector to stand in solidarity with refugees and take action by taking part in Refugee Week 2026 (15-21st June) which will have the theme of Courage. Next year’s Refugee Week will also mark 75 years since the 1951 Refugee Convention was signed, a landmark agreement with a simple but powerful commitment: when people are forced to flee, they deserve not only protection, but also dignity and hope. Please find the full open letter, which includes details on participating organisations, how to take part and how we can collectively continue to show courage in upholding human rights. Please forward the letter on to anyone that might be interested and feel free to share on socials: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/ X, LinkedIn.

Communities Not Camps

Home Office plans to place people seeking safety in unsuitable facilities at Cameron barracks in Inverness and Crowborough army training camp in East Sussex have been delayed, with the Department saying it wanted to avoid “unsafe and chaotic situations”. John Swinney, First Minister of Scotland accused the Home Office of making up its plans ‘on the back of an envelope’. 

Meanwhile Corporate Travel Management, the Australian company that was contracted to run the Bibby Stockholm barge, has appointed advisory firm KPMG to carry out a ‘forensic audit’ of its British subsidiary’s accounts, after it was revealed that British customers, including the Home Office, had been overcharged for its services. The company is reportedly due to take on a new contract for some hotel provision in Southern England next year.  

TAKE ACTION

  • This short video explainer offers a social media-friendly introduction to some of the most significant issues at the heart of the camps project – and why this Government already knows it is a failed experiment. If you’d like to share the video on your own social media accounts, it can be downloaded here. 

Write to your MP using this easy tool to tell them people seeking safety should be housed in communities, not camps.

2. Government and Parliamentary updates

Justice and Home Affairs Committee launches new inquiry into Settlement, Citizenship, and Integration

The House of Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee has today launched a new inquiry into settlement, citizenship, and integration, along with an accompanying call for evidence to inform its work. Information on the call for evidence is here, and the deadline for submissions is 26 January 2026.

3. Reports and research

Explainer on “earned settlement” consultation
GMIAU and Praxis have produced a useful explainer on the Government’s new consultation on ‘earned settlement’ which you can find here.

Migration Policy Scotland Report on Attitudes to Immigration in Scotland

Data from Migration Policy Scotland’s 2025 Attitudes to Immigration Survey shows Scottish views on immigration continue to cool compared to previous years. Given immigration’s rising political salience and ongoing protests centred on asylum accommodation and small boat arrivals it is increasingly urgent to understand the nuances of Scottish attitudes to immigration. More restrictive measures were announced earlier this month and the Scottish Parliament elections in May 2026 edge closer. Yet care should be taken not to confuse cooling views with outright hostility.  The rate at which views have become less favourable slowed between 2024-2025 in comparison to the year before and there is still evidence of positive attitudes on a range of issues.

4. Resources, events, jobs and training

National Demonstration Against the new Asylum and Migration Policy

As a public campaign that you can take part in, a National Demonstration has been called for Saturday 13th December 2025 in Birmingham, UK to oppose the Government’s escalating immigration and asylum reforms and demand justice for migrant workers. Please share with all who might be interested. Event Details: Birmingham City Centre, Saturday 13 Dec at 12noon Follow for updates @regulariseuk.bsky.social @jcwi-uk.bsky.social @migrantsrights.bsky.social

Jobs and opportunities:

  • Applications for MRN’s Migrants’ Aspiration Programme close on Sunday 7th December 2025, 5pm. More information here and application form here.
  • Outreach Project Manager role at New Citizens’ Gateway (NCG). Closing Date: 10 December 2025. More info here.

Migrants’ Aspiration Programme – Applications deadline is 7th December 2025.

5. What we’re reading, watching and listening to

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