We’re recruiting! We’re looking for a dynamic Campaigns and Policy Manager based in Yorkshire and Humber to join our small, committed team and help us achieve positive change. The successful candidate will have experience in developing impactful campaigns and analysing and influencing asylum policy. Find out more here, deadline 10am 20 July.
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
Refugee Week
After some difficult weeks, we’ve been incredibly heartened to take part in and see the amazing bursts of activity, celebration and courage in all our communities over Refugee Week. From Nottingham to St Helens to Leeds – and everywhere else! – people have come together to give each other strength, solidarity and hope – it’s been brilliant to see some of you there!
Channel deaths
Yet another human life has been lost in the Channel, as it is reported that a woman lost her life last Saturday whilst making the journey to the UK in a small boat. Police have made an arrest in connection with the death. This follows the recent sentencing of people found steering small boats for ‘endangering others during a sea crossing’, and the news that French police deployed under the recent UK-France agreement have been authorised to request the use of water cannon, which are not in use in Great Britain.
- Take action: organisations who have documented border violence are asking for a public inquiry into how UK funding and policy is causing deaths and trauma at our borders. Sign their petition now.
Fight for Asylum Rights
In partnership with the Directory of Social Change we’re delivering a briefing on asylum policy for non asylum charities with partners from NACCOM and Humans for Rights Network. We’re keen to drive up the amount of campaigning and advocacy from the mainstream voluntary sector. It would be great if you can share this with your local Voluntary Services Council for circulation, or any other non asylum charities in your networks. Details are here: Directory of Social Change – The changes to asylum policy: why they harm us all, and the progressive alternatives – Free online session
AI in age assessments
More than 60 organisations have written to Home Office Minister Alex Norris to ask questions and express alarm about Government plans to deploy ‘Facial Age Estimation’ AI tools in age assessments, raising concerns about accuracy, discrimination, the lawfulness of data use and transparency. Meanwhile, the Refugee and Migrant Children’s Consortium has published a further report explaining the technology, laying out key concerns and the impact of wrong decisions. Lighthouse Reports, Wired and the Independent have also co-published in regard to an investigation into Government plans, including the accuracy of the technology provided by a facial recognition company, Cognitec systems. More information and commentary here.
New asylum support rules raise concerns about destitution
Right to Remain has produced new guidance showing that people seeking asylum could now have their support stopped if they are accused of working outside strict rules, even though they are largely banned from working in the first place. This has raised serious concerns that people could be pushed into homelessness and destitution simply because they cannot find the limited jobs they are permitted to do. If you or someone you support could be affected, please read the full guidance from Right to Remain to understand your rights and what steps to take.
2. Government and Parliamentary updates
Prime Minister resigns
Keir Starmer has announced he will step down as Prime Minister, marking the close of his tenure in a Government which has overseen major upheaval in the UK’s asylum and migration system: including the shortening of protection grants, a ‘citizenship ban’ for many refugees, the suspension of refugee family reunion, faster processing of asylum claims, an increased appeals backlog, increased securitisation of the border, a reduction in hotel use – and the trailing of expansive and damaging changes on settlement and asylum support. The government has indicated there will be “no new major policy announcements or spending commitments” during the period of transition to his successor, widely expected to be MP for Makerfield/ex Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham.
Hotel closures
Several local authorities and media outlets have reported on the closure of further hotel accommodation, including the Bell Hotel in Epping which was the scene of serious disorder last summer.
EU Pact on Migration comes into force
These 10 legislative instruments are in force across the EU as of 12 June – explainer here.
Wales Children’s Commissioner statement on racist violence
Following the outbreak of racist violence in Belfast and other UK cities, the Children’s Commissioner for Wales released a statement on the 12th June – racism: community safety and reassurance for children in Wales. You can read the statement in full here.
3. Reports and research
IPPR – Closing the gaps: Immigration status and homelessness
Drawing on interviews with people with lived experience of the immigration and asylum system, this report sets out how immigration status interacts with experiences of homelessness and destitution, and sets out reforms to support people in the immigration system.
Migration Observatory briefing on asylum accommodation
This briefing provides statistics on accommodation throughout the UK, including the use of hotels, across geographies and with respect to large sites.
Independent Monitoring Board reports on immigration detention and short term holding facilities
The IMB has released its annual report for 2025, which covers its inspections in the immigration detention estate as well as prisons. Its findings in relation to immigration detention include that force was used against detained people in ways that were often arbitrary; use of force and separation were often used for operational convenience rather than on the basis of individualised risk assessments, and safeguards failed to prevent harm to vulnerable people. IMBs have also released reports on Kent Coast Short Term Holding Facilities, London Short Term Holding Facilities, South and East Short Term Holding Facilities, and South and West Short Term Holding Facilities
UNHCR Global Trends Report
The latest UN’s Global Trends Report provides global stats – at the end of 2025 there were 41.6 million refugees globally, 9 million people seeking asylum and 68.7 million people displaced in their own countries – find out more here -and this piece from the Conversation contextualises the figures in the context of global aid cuts.
Home Affairs Select Committee report on Settlement
The Justice and Home Affairs Select Committee have released their report on Settlement, Citizenship & Integration. In it they highlight ‘woefully inadequate data’ leading to ‘misinformation on migration and settlement flourishes, hampering both people’s ability to understand the situation, and to make informed policy decisions’.
4. Resources, events, jobs and training
Navigating a challenging funding environment for frontline AS&R groups in Wales – 30th June
Asylum Matters is hosting a call for smaller, frontline refugee and asylum support groups and organisations in Wales (max turnover <£500k) to discuss the challenging funding environment (and political environment) everyone is facing. The idea is for this to be a super informal setting where we bring different refugee/asylum support groups across Wales together, hold space for these groups and organisations to share some of the challenges they are facing and share best practice with one another – as well as to hear some reflections and tips from a professional fundraiser/grant-funding application writer on what things may be useful to think about whilst trying to secure future funding in this difficult environment. The call will be taking place via Zoom at 12.30pm on Tuesday 30th June. If this is of interest to your organisation, or others you may know in Wales, please do get in touch at [email protected] and we can pass on the Zoom registration link. Also – if your organisation or others in your networks are not based in Wales but may be interested in a similar session – likewise please do let us know by dropping us an email at [email protected] and we can look at running more of these calls for other regions if they’re of interest.
We Keep Each Other Safe – practical community safety guide from MRN, Anaka Collective & PPR
A new workbook ‘We Keep Each Other Safe’ has just been launched by Migrants’ Rights Network, Anaka Collective, and Participation and Practice of Rights, with support from the UK Prevention Research Partnership (UKPRP) VISION consortium. Together, they have created a research-led workbook alongside migrants and migrant-led organisations, to identify the safety strategies communities are already using to protect one another. Find the workbook here.
Building a better us: how to talk about homes and immigration
Frameworks UK and partners have produced this research briefing on how communicators advocating for more decent and affordable homes in the UK can deal with arguments linking immigration to pressure on the UK’s housing system.
Working Together – Growing Capacity to Support Disabled People Seeking Asylum in Glasgow and Beyond
This collection of three podcasts and accompanying resources from the University of Glasgow and others gives insight into the lived realities of seeking sanctuary as a disabled person, people’s legal rights and entitlements and practical considerations for healthcare and other professionals. Access here.
Jobs:
- We’re recruiting for a new Campaigns and Policy Manager to be based in Yorkshire and Humber to help Asylum Matters achieve positive change – deadline 10am 20 July.
- Anti-Slavery International is hiring for a Communications Officer. Deadline 30 June.
- ASAP are looking for a Policy and Research Officer. Deadline 5th July.
5. What we’re reading, watching and listening to
