February is upon us, New Year’s resolutions are but a distant dream, so we thought it would be helpful to round up our current campaigns here in Scotland and how you can get involved.
Campaigning for Change
#LifttheBan
The Lift the Ban coalition is made up of over 80 organisations, and calls on the UK government to give those seeking asylum and their adult dependents the right to work, unrestricted to jobs on the Shortage Occupation List, and after waiting 6 months for a decision on their initial asylum claim or further submission. Lifting the ban would help people to integrate, allow people to live in dignity and fulfil their potential, address mental health issues, challenge forced labour and exploitation, and result in an economic gain for the UK of £42.2million. Visit the Lift the Ban website for more information on this popular and evidence-based case for change, join the coalition or sign the petition to #LifttheBan!
#FamiliesTogether
The UK’s family reunion rules are extremely restrictive, only allowing spouses and children under the age of 18 to join their families in the UK. Unaccompanied children already living in the UK are not allowed to sponsor their parents or siblings to join them. Families have been torn apart by this hostile policy. In 2017, a Private Members Bill by MP Angus MacNeil set about to change this, hoping to expand the definition of family beyond this restrictive measure, and to allow unaccompanied children in the UK to sponsor their family members to join them here. It passed its second reading in March 2018, and we are awaiting the next step – things have gone quiet however, and the recent Immigration Bill ignored this pressing issue. We are part of a coalition of 20 organisations, including Oxfam, Amnesty and the Refugee Council, to raise awareness and bring #familiestogether.
If you have a story you’d like to share concerning one or both of the above campaigns, get in contact with our Media Officer here. He will work with you to tell your story and help push for change.
Fundraising Campaigns
#TastesfromHome
Bring your family, friends and community together over a meal and support Scottish Refugee Council’s essential services. Our new fundraising initiative will ask people up and down the country to host a food-inspired event to raise money for our vital work with refugees in Scotland. Funds raised will support Scottish Refugee Council’s wide-ranging services, including our work with children and families; our one-to-one support for people who have recently received refugee protection; and our work supporting individuals who are destitute and facing street homelessness. Find out more about how you can get involved in #TastesfromHome here.
