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Campaigns to welcome Syrian Refugees: Amnesty, People of Malvern and Croydon
Amnesty International briefing: Syrian Refugees Activists around the UK have been campaigning tirelessly on the Syrian refugee resettlement issue. We’ve been raising this issue through protest actions, the #OpenToSyria online photo action, lobbying local councils to find places for Syrian families, and writing to MPs and Government ministers.
Here are a few facts and figures which may be useful if you’re talking about Syrian refugees. Continue reading “Campaigns to welcome Syrian Refugees: Amnesty, People of Malvern and Croydon”
Right to rent & destitution concerns
The Home Office is evaluating the Right to Rent pilot in the Midlands and JCWI and MAX are working with partners to carry out an independent evaluation. Meanwhile, the Southampton and Winchester Visitors Group have written to Lord Best outlining their concerns over the impact that the implementation of this measure will have on refused asylum seekers. Refused asylum seekers often live in rented accommodation (supported by relatives, friends or a charity) while considering what to do next and the Act will make this illegal. For more information see: http://cityofsanctuary.org/2015/07/14/new-destitution-concerns-re-the-planned-implementation-of-the-right-to-rent/ : Continue reading “Right to rent & destitution concerns”Updates and action on cuts to asylum support
On 16 July, the Home Office wrote to NASF members outlining why it decided to reduce the rates of support to asylum seeking families. The Home Office also made available the Policy Equality Statement which accompanied the review of support rates. Both documents are attached as files
On 21 July, David Hanson MP, Shadow Immigration Minister, formally opposed the regulations which brought in the cuts to asylum support. This is done by tabling an EDM which prays against the regulations, see: http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2015-16/340. This EDM is supported by MPs from the SNP, the Liberal Democrats and the Greens.
Shortly afterwards, John McDonnell MP tabled a separate EDM opposing the cuts. This EDM specifically call for the Government to withdraw the cut and for a parliamentary debate to be held on the issue. For the full text see:http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2015-16/344. This EDM (No.344) has 27 signatures to date (17 of which are from the SNP) and is one that backbench MPs can sign to show their concern over the impact the cuts will have on asylum seeking families with children.
Regional Asylum Activism (RAA) have put together a good campaign action on this issue. It calls on members of the public tocontact their MP and to ask them to write to the Immigration Minister, James Brokenshire MP, to voice their concerns regarding the cuts and/or to sign EDM 344. RAA have drafted a model letter which you can adapt and send to your MP. For more details go to: http://regionalasylumactivism.org/2015/07/21/government-cuts-support-for-children-seeking-refugee-protection/