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
Guide launched – Not in Our Name: How to talk about the weaponisation of violence against women and girls
A new practical guide was launched on 14th April, called Not In Our Name: How to talk about the weaponisation of violence against women and girls. This has been produced by End Violence Against Women Coalition, Hibiscus, Southall Black Sisters, Imkaan, Latin American Women’s Rights Service (LAWRS) and Asylum Matters. The guide aims to provide tools for the public to challenge harmful misinformation and have productive conversations with people in their lives about VAWG and immigration. It’s also a tool for politicians and journalists to respond to those that use false or misleading claims around VAWG for political gain and creating more division. Please feel free to share with your networks and anyone who may find it useful. Read more here.
Migrant Democracy Project: Votes for All Mass lobby of Parliament on 20 April
The Migrant Democracy Project is taking its campaign for Votes for All to a mass lobby in Parliament on 20 April. An amendment has been tabled to the Representation of the People’s Bill, by Manuela Perteghella MP which would extend the franchise to all residents.
Take action: if you can’t attend the lobby, but want to support, write to your MP here.
Reminder: email your MP by 29th April to oppose temporary refugee status
MPs have until 29th April to sign the motion tabled by Stella Creasy MP – EDM 2908 – challenging the Government’s introduction of temporary refugee status where people will be left in uncertainty with their protection reviewed every 30 months and the constant threat of return hanging over them.
Take action: Use and share this easy-letter writing tool to ask your MP to a) sign the motion challenging this policy and b) attend the upcoming Lift the Ban parliamentary roundtable event.
2. Government and Parliamentary updates
Channel deaths
On 9th April, four people lost their lives off the coast of Northern France whilst reportedly trying to board a small boat the UK. The alleged ‘pilot’ of the boat has been charged with endangering another during a journey by sea to the UK. This comes less than two weeks after two other deaths off the coast of Northern France.
Government trails closure of 11 hotels, industry day on accommodation
It is reported that the Government is shortly expected to announce the closure of 11 hotel sites as part of its pledge to close all hotel sites before the end of the Parliament. Meanwhile, the Guardian reports that a private event will be held this week, billed as an “industry day” for current and future providers of accommodation under the new “Future Asylum Contracts Transformation” programme intended to replace the current AASC contracts from 2029.
ICIBI inspection of the Home Office’s engagement with local authorities in the planning and development of asylum accommodation
The ICIBI has announced this inspection, expected to report in August 2026. No call for evidence has yet been published.
Legal case gives guidance on asylum accommodation
A recent judgment has given guidance on adequacy of hotel accommodation, overcrowding and the HMO rules and will likely have implications for the Home Office ‘allocation of accommodation’ policy. Analysis here.
Applications for extension of permission to stay under Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme open
As of 8 April, people with leave under the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme can apply for a further 24 month extension 90 days before their current permission expires.
City of Sanctuary – Charity Commission finds no evidence of wrongdoing, expresses concern re online misinformation
We are delighted that the Charity Commission has closed its compliance case in respect of our friends at City of Sanctuary UK, after a complaint was brought in relation to their work in schools, finding no evidence of wrongdoing or inappropriate activity. The Commission expressed concern that the charity had faced a misinformation campaign, and about the online misinformation that charities are increasingly subject to. See the Charity Commission statement here and statement from City of Sanctuary here.
3. Reports and research
Refugee Council: The importance of the move-on period for refugees
This report looks at current challenges that refugees face during the move-on period and how the process could be improved, including why a permanent extension to 56 days is necessary.
Da’aro Youth Project: Deaths of Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Young People in the care of, or supported by Local Authorities
This report finds that, over a ten year period between 2015 and 2024, at least 52 unaccompanied asylum seeking young people lost their lives whilst being cared for, or supported by, a local authority or health and social care trust in the UK. In addition, an unknown number of unaccompanied asylum seeking young people died whilst trying to access care. More unaccompanied asylum seeking young people died in 2024 than in any previous year. No prevention of future deaths reports were identified by the study as having been published following an inquest. Coverage here.
The authors state: “We want to reaffirm the humanity of every young person who has lost their lives after travelling to the UK to seek safety and sanctuary. Each number discussed in this report was a person who had family, friends and a community.”
4. Resources, events, jobs and training
City of Sanctuary / Welsh Refugee Council: the facts about Wales and Sanctuary
This guide, created in Welsh and English, explains how people seeking safety are supported in Wales, what the Nation of Sanctuary plan involves, and why it matters. Request a copy here.
Summaries of recent changes to the asylum and immigration system
Right to Remain has produced this useful update on recent changes and actions you can take if you are in the system or supporting someone in the system, and Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit have produced this useful summary of recent changes, what has changed already, and actions we can take.
Free Training – Engage Your MP & Take Action around Earned Settlement on 15th May
Citizens UK and RAMP are running a free training on engaging your MP on the earned settlement proposals. This is timed to ensure constituents are engaging their MPs in the aftermath of the local elections and keeping earned settlement high on the agenda. Friday 15th May is a strategic moment. Local election results will be fresh, and MPs are likely to be in their constituencies. These sessions will show you how to contact your MP, support you to set up a meeting or plan a letter delivery, help you tell your story clearly and powerfully and build your confidence to take action alongside others. Citizens UK and RAMP are running online training sessions on Zoom: Monday 27th April 2pm – 3:30pm – Register; Tuesday 28th April 6pm – 7:30pm – Register; Tuesday 5th May 6pm – 7:30pm – Register
Big Leaf Foundation: Keeping Young People Safe from Filming and Harassment in Public
These translated guides give practical advice for young people – but relevant to everyone – on what to do if someone is harassing or filming you.
Free Training: Introduction to working with interpreters
Scottish Refugee Council are organising a free taster session of their ‘Introduction to Working with Interpreters’ training on Tuesday 21st April, 2-3pm via Zoom. You don’t need to be based in Scotland to attend – colleagues across the UK are welcome. Register here.
Women in Refugee Law seminar: International Refugee Law and the Global Compact – Where are the Women?
Number six in a series of WiRL seminars is being held on Monday 27th April, 3:00pm- 4:15pm. Flyer here. Register here.
Hope Not Hate – digital volunteers bringing hope to social media
Hope Not Hate are building a community of volunteers who’ll use their own social media to help tackle hateful narratives and harmful misinformation. Register your interest here.
Freedom From Torture webinar – Cultivating Wellbeing in a Challenging Climate
Freedom From Torture are hosting a webinar on Thursday 23rd April 14:00-15:30 exploring the current challenges and lived realities of staff wellbeing across the refugee and migrant sector. This session will offer space to share experiences, reflect collectively, and exchange ideas on how to cultivate wellbeing during an exceptionally difficult time for the sector. Register here.
Jobs:
- St Augustine’s Centre Halifax are recruiting a Deputy Director, deadline 17 April
- Penrith and Eden Refugee Network are looking for a legal advisor and service coordinator, deadline 4 May
5. What we’re reading, watching and listening to
- This piece in Open Democracy on the heartbreak caused by the earned settlement proposals, this analysis by Colin Yeo on the consequences for the UK and this explainer in the Conversation on how the proposals, if enacted, would make the UK an international outlier.
- This blog on UK in a Changing Europe that argues the UK’s restrictions on employment for asylum seekers do not act as a strong deterrent, but do drive up asylum costs, risk pushing asylum seekers into exploitative working conditions and harm their wellbeing and integration.
