The recent UK election has ushered in a new government and changes in UK asylum policy
While there is still a long way to go, some positive changes have been made in Labour’s first few weeks in office.
The Rwanda scheme has been scrapped
We welcome the news that the cruel and unworkable Rwanda scheme has now been scrapped in its entirety. The uncertainty around detentions for removal and who was at risk caused a great deal of stress for our clients and we hope the end of this inhumane scheme provides some comfort for people awaiting their asylum decisions.
The claims of thousands of people left in limbo will now be processed
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced the end of the retrospective aspect of the Illegal Migration Act (IMA), so that the Home Office can now process the applications of people who arrived in the UK on or after March 2023. Thousands of people were left in limbo by this legislation and we hope they will soon be able to move forward with their lives.
The Bibby Stockholm barge will close
The barge, moored in Dorset, was completely unsuitable accommodation for people seeking protection. We are pleased to hear the contract will not be renewed in January 2025.
Afghan family reunion route opens
The government has announced that, three years after the evacuation of Kabul, a route has now opened for families who have been separated.
We hope many families will soon be able to reunite in safety.
But there is still a long way to go…
Like the previous government, the new party in power continues to focus on ‘small boats.’
They have announced the creation of a ‘Border Security Command’ that aims to tackle smuggling gangs. However, there has been little focus on that the fact that there are very few safe and legal ways to travel to and claim asylum in the UK. Emphasis has been placed on deterrence rather than the establishment of safe and legal routes or the expansion of resettlement schemes or family reunion visas.
We need established safe routes for people fleeing war, persecution and violence. We need to make it more straightforward for families separated by conflicts to reunite in safety.
The Illegal Migration Act should be repealed in full and replaced with a system that works for everyone.
We need a fair and efficient asylum system that processes claims quickly and allows people seeking safety to move forward and begin to rebuild their lives.
Read more on Labour’s immigrations plans.
Find out more about the Fair Begins Here campaign for a fair and efficient asylum system.
