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
Deadline extension (31 October) to sign joint open letter to Home Secretary on keeping volunteering voluntary
In her speech to Labour Party Conference, the new Home Secretary outlined plans to tie people’s immigration status to a series of new conditions, including mandatory volunteering. As a voluntary sector, who would presumably be relied upon to enforce such a system, we are a delivering a clear message to the Home Secretary that her plans represent a weaponisation of volunteering that undermines its many benefits and would create a population of people forced to participate under threat of having their lives in this country ripped away from them. We think this is unacceptable and refuse to be a part of it.
All charities, NGOs, third sector and voluntary organisations, including voluntary service councils and any organisations that work with volunteers are encouraged to add their signatures to this open letter to the Home Secretary.
Please do share this form widely amongst your networks via email, whatsapp etc, but not on public forums such as social media or websites please as we aim to get this published in the media, and then sent to the Government.
THE DEADLINE FOR SIGNATURES HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO 12PM ON FRIDAY 31ST OCTOBER. If you encounter any difficulties in adding your signature please contact [email protected].
The letter has been co-ordinated by organisations including Asylum Matters, Focus on Labour Exploitation and Praxis.
TAKE ACTION:
- Sign the open letter and demand the Home Secretary keeps volunteering voluntary
- Share the sign-up link amongst your networks
The Human Cost of the Family Reunion Ban
In this new report by Helen Bamber Foundation, the Home Secretary has been explicitly warned that the recent ban on the Refugee Family Reunion route is plunging vulnerable spouses and children into grave danger, forcing them to attempt perilous Channel crossings to reunite with family. This policy actively dismantles one of the last remaining safe routes to safety, prioritising family separation and human risk over safety and decency. Our partners ReUnite Families UK have partnered with JCWI to prepare a joint statement on the suspension/permanent closure of the Refugee Family Reunion Route.
TAKE ACTION:
- Sign this form to show your support
- Deadline: Friday 24th October at midnight
Joint statement in defence of the ECHR – opportunity to sign by 29 October
The Save our Human Rights Act Coalition has created a joint public statement on recent political and media attacks on the European Convention on Human Rights. The coalition is seeking the widest possible sign-on to present a united front across civil society. The deadline to sign is COP Wednesday 29th October and you can sign on here.
Challenging myths, supporting refugees in the North East
Chronicle Live reports of the North East Migrant Myth Busters campaign that has been launched to challenge false narratives and misinformation about refugees and asylum seekers. Initiatives like this are crucial in supporting and protecting displaced people, particularly in today’s increasingly hostile environment. By promoting accurate information and fostering understanding, the campaign helps create a safer, more informed community for everyone. Read and share this powerful new online resource that provides evidence-based facts.
National Day of Solidarity to End Immigration Detention
Campaigners across the country marked the National Day of Solidarity to End Immigration Detention on Saturday with huge crowds travelling to Derwentside Immigration Removal Centre in County Durham in a vibrant and powerful display of solidarity with migrant communities. With hatred too often filling the headlines and often our streets, this was a really beautiful moment of community joy, anger and resistance. See stunning pictures from the day in The Northern Echo or read this write-up in The Canary.
2. Government and Parliamentary updates
Roundup of party conference season announcements on immigration by Institute for Government
The Institute for Government has produced an explainer on what the different political parties have announced on immigration and asylum around their party conferences, which you can find here.
House of Lords Committee critiques Government’s changes to family reunion rules
The Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee in the House of Lords has produced a report critical of the manner in which the Government has introduced a suspension to refugee family reunion. The Committee raised concerns around “the Home Office’s policymaking too frequently reacting to events, rather than proceeding from rigorous analysis and supported by evidence” and that the Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules laid on 4 September 2025 “represents policymaking by press release rather than following due process”. Coverage here. You can read the report in full here.
EU in contact with Taliban over returns
InfoMigrants reports that the European Union has confirmed it has ‘initiated exploratory contacts with the Taliban Government in Afghanistan as part of efforts to increase the number of deportations of failed asylum seekers from Europe’. Full report here.
BBC In Depth report on asylum accommodation
BBC In Depth have produced a report examining Kate Wareing’s proposals for alternative approaches to asylum accommodation. Full report here.
Anti-racism protestors outnumber anti-sanctuary protestors in Caerphilly
Ahead of the upcoming Caerphilly Senedd by-election, anti-racism campaigners outnumbered protesters at a demonstration against Wales’ Nation of Sanctuary policy on Saturday. Coverage here.
3. Reports and research
‘A future fit for people and planet’ – new City of Sanctuary resource
City of Sanctuary UK have launched a new resource: A Future Fit for People and Planet. The climate crisis is already reshaping lives, livelihoods, and entire communities – yet it doesn’t impact us all equally. Those least responsible for global emissions are often those paying the highest price. A Future Fit for People and Planet, explores how we can meet this moment – by breaking down silos and working across movements for social, climate, and migrant justice. City of Sanctuary have worked with Sanctuary Ambassadors to share real stories from those living the reality of climate-linked displacement, and offers practical ways for City of Sanctuary groups, Sanctuary awarded organisations and our partners to collaborate, learn, and act together.
House of Commons Library research briefing on changes to UK visa and settlement rules after the 2025 immigration white paper
The House of Commons Library has produced a new research briefing on the Immigration White Paper which can be found here.
4. Resources, events, jobs and training
Events
- NEON Spokesperson Training applications now open for November, apply here.
- Launch of Communicating Hope: A Resource for Action, a new Hope-Based Communications Guide designed to help faith groups, charities, and campaigners use communications strategically and purposefully to inspire change, hosted by Rene Cassin and Imix on 11th November at 1-2pm. Register here.
- Common Language: The Campaign to Properly Fund English (ESOL) Classes – a campaign organised by Citizens UK Migrants & Refugees and others launches on 25th November 10am-11am, register here.
- What New Immigration and Healthcare Policies Mean event hosted by Kalungan on 26 October 2pm-5pm, register here.
- Migrant Democracy Projects new MPower Programmes are open to applications. MPower: Organisers details here and MPower: National details here.
- Migration Stats User Forum hosted by Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford – which brings together data producers in Home Office, ONS, and DWP – is on 11th December and you can sign up here.
- Neon’s Black Liberation Across Borders event at 6pm-9pm 29th October. Tickets here.
- Applications now open for Fair Say’s Campaigning Forum 2026 in Oxford here.
- Imix Masterclasses running in mid-November, register here.
- Climate and Migration Community Film Festival 21-30 November across the UK. Register here to host a free screening and join the online Q&A session on 22 October here.
- Migrant Democracy Project are launching their Champions Network with their first Community Call on 23rd October at 6pm, register here.
Jobs
- Settled are recruiting for a Ukrainian Advisor, deadline 20.11.25
- Barrow Cadbury are looking for a communications consultant for their criminal justice programme, deadline 30.10.25
- Work Rights Centre are recruiting a trainee solicitor (immigration and employment), deadline 28.11.25
5. What we’re reading, watching and listening to
- This piece in Children & Young People Now on the impact of the Government’s upcoming child poverty strategy on children in migrant and asylum-seeking families
- This inspiring piece in British Vogue by Congolese refugee Benita Bolumbu
- This moving defence of Wales’ ‘Nation of Sanctuary plan’ by Ukrainian refugee Yuliia Bon
