- Advocacy and campaigning Initiatives
- Government and Parliamentary updates
- Reports and research
- Resources, events, jobs and training
- What we’re reading, watching and listening to
- Advocacy and campaigning Initiatives
NGOs mobilise around Macron visit and border violence
Over 65 organisations supporting refugees in the UK and in France signed a cross-Channel statement calling for an end to escalating border violence and the deaths it is driving, to coincide with the state visit of President Macron. Coverage here and here and full statement here.
In a joint press conference during the state visit, Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron announced a pilot scheme of ‘one in, one out’ proposing returns of those who have crossed the Channel to France in exchange for acceptance of people with a connection to the UK. Keir Starmer stated: “For the very first time, migrants arriving via small boat will be detained and returned to France in short order. In exchange for every return, a different individual will be allowed to come here via a safe route […] only open to those who have not tried to enter the UK illegally.” Campaigners have labelled the deal ‘dehumanising’ and ‘grubby’, raising concerns about the lack of proper safe routes, and UNHCR have stressed the importance of compliance with international law. Further details of what is proposed have yet to be announced, analysis here, here and here.
‘Unfreeze our lives’: UK Government resumes processing of Syrian asylum claims
The UK is to start processing Syrian asylum claims, more than seven months after decisions were paused after the fall of the Assad regime. The announcement coincided with a parliamentary lobby event the Syrian British Consortium (SBC) and the Syria Action and Advocacy Group (SAAG) held together with us, hosted by David Taylor MP, where Syrians impacted by the suspension of asylum and ILR applications urged MPs to #UnfreezeOurLives and spoke powerfully of the uncertainty they had endured. Some of the powerful testimonies shared at the event were later featured in The Mirror highlighting the human cost of the pause. Further coverage here and here.
Applicants and practitioners are digesting the new country policy and information notes, which have recently been published, and the Minister’s written statement in full can be found here.
Wethersfield must close!
12th July marked two years since the opening of the large scale camp at Wethersfield in Essex. This thread looks back at two years of suffering and scandal, including well documented mental health crises at the camp, the unlawful placing of people at the site and the pledge of the PM pre election that the camp should close.
Humans for Rights Network Border violence project – call out for evidence
Humans for Rights Network (HFRN) are calling out for referrals of people who have witnessed or been subjected to violence at the shared UK/France/Belgium border, in connection with a report underway on the increase of violence being perpetrated there. If you or someone you work with or know has been subjected to this violence and:
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Wish to participate in an interview
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Would like to speak to HFRN about accessing legal advice regarding this experience of violence in the UK
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Would like to discuss the project further before choosing to participate
You can refer people using this online form, or they can contact HFRN directly via [email protected]
2. Government and Parliamentary updates
MoD Afghan Data Breach
After the lifting of an ‘unprecedented’ court super injunction, it has been revealed that a serious data breach by the Ministry of Defence in 2022 has meant that a number of Afghans whose personal details were exposed have been relocated to the UK in a scheme (‘the Afghan Response Route’) – set up by the previous Conservative government but not previously made public. The Secretary of State for Defence has stated that around 900 principals had been relocated to the UK or were in transit under this scheme, with 3600 family members, and that whilst existing invitations to 600 named people and their families would be honoured this scheme will now be closed.
News of the breach comes two weeks after the Government announced without warning the sudden closure of the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy scheme to new principal applicants, as well as the closure of the Afghan Citizens Relocation Scheme (ACRS), marking the end of any scheme to allow Afghans to safely enter the UK. Read Right to Remain’s analysis re the closure of ARAP and ACRS here
Enforcement activity re ‘illegal working’
The Government has announced a ‘nationwide clampdown’ on ‘illegal working hotspots’, with a focus on the gig economy and people working as delivery riders. Their press announcement says that anyone in the asylum system found working in this way during this operation will have accommodation and support payments discontinued. This follows a meeting on June 30 between Minister Angela Eagle and Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat in which the companies committed to increase facial verification and fraud checks, and previous publicity around alleged illegal working out of hotels. Coverage here, and opinion from us here and in the Guardian here on the pressing need to Lift the Ban.
56 day move on pilot extended
The Home Office’s ‘move on’ pilot (extending the asylum ‘move on period’ from 28 to 56 days) has been extended, and will now run until December 2025 – coverage here. The National Centre for Social Research is carrying out an evaluation of the pilot, due to conclude later this summer.
Increase in immigration legal aid rates
The Ministry of Justice has announced an increase in immigration legal aid rates by 30%, giving an example of the fixed fee for asylum legal help increasing by 35% from £413 to £559, and saying they plan to implement the fee uplifts “as soon as operationally possible”.
Visa reforms introduced to Parliament
The Government has introduced the first raft of reforms into Parliament following on from its White Paper on changes to the wider immigration system – including raising the skilled worker salary requirement to £41 700 and ending the recruitment of care workers from abroad. Changes related to the skilled worker and other work routes will come into effect as of 22 July. Statement here, analysis here.
3. Reports and research
From Surviving to Thriving: Preventing Homelessness in Greater Manchester amongst people with refugee status
This report from the Boaz Trust shares the findings of a one year pilot to reduce homelessness in Greater Manchester recently granted refugee status, detailing success in securing private rented accommodation for over 90 newly granted refugees and containing local, regional and national recommendations for change. A policy briefing summarising the findings is here.
‘This System Destroys You: Children Trapped in Asylum Hotels by the Home Office
This report from Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit shares the experiences of children from their All4One youth group who were wrongly treated as adults by the Home Office. It reveals what life is like for children alone in hotels, the interrogations at the border which cause them to be sent there, and the urgent support they need to escape harm.
Better Pathways for People with No Recourse to Public Funds
This project by Brushstrokes Community Project and Barrow Cadbury Trust sought to bring to the fore the voices of people who had experienced the NRPF condition in the West Midlands, co-producing a Charter on best practice
From Desert to Oasis: the case for a strategic approach to rebuilding the immigration legal sector in Wales
This report by the Bevan Foundation makes the case for a clear, co-produced strategy for free at the point of access immigration advice and representation in Wales, outlining key elements of a sustainable sector.
4. Resources, events, jobs and training
Building Leadership from Experience
This report commissioned by Together With Refugees and One Strong Voice looks at work underway to advance Lived Experience leadership in the refugee rights movement and recommendations for improvement. Comment by Kolbassia Haoussou here.
Using the Law to Create Change – a guide for charities and campaigning groups
This guide from Bates Wells and NEON explains how organisations and campaigning groups can use the law to make meaningful change, especially within a broader campaigns strategy.
Jobs:
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African Rainbow Family are recruiting for: an Advocacy and Campaigns Manager, a Support Worker (LGBTIQ+ refugees and people seeking asylum), an Office Administrator, a Human Resources Coordinator and a Volunteer Coordinator. Details of all vacancies can be accessed here, deadline 21 July
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Safe Passage International are looking for a Policy and Public Affairs Manager, deadline 3 August
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Notre Dame Refugee Centre, London are recruiting a Director of Operations and Fundraising, deadline 4 August.
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ASSIST Sheffield are recruiting an Office and Projects Assistant, deadline 18 August, and a Casework Coordinator, rolling deadline.
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ARC Blackburn are hiring an Operations Manager, deadline 25 August.
- What we’re reading, watching and listening to
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This powerful and humbling interview with Pious Keku, highlighting also the incredible work done by Refugee Tales and Gatwick Detainees Welfare Group.
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This Big Issue piece on the need for Government to address the harms caused by NRPF in its efforts to tackle child poverty
