Asylum Matters have highlighted the challenges experienced by people forced to live on low levels of asylum support, and the difficulty in buying essentials as prices rise and the cost-of-living crisis worsens. These are included in this piece, which also emphasises the impact of the Government’s effective ban on working for people seeking asylum.
Following a recent spate of misinformation in the media and on social media about the amount people receive on asylum support, FullFact has carried out a fact check to set the record straight.
The Home Office is currently reviewing the rate of asylum support payments and is expected to announce any changes in the coming months.
Calling on Local Authorities to Fight the #AntiRefugeeLaws – webinar 18 October
Local Authorities have a vital role to play in joining the fight to repeal the anti-refugee laws. Asylum Matters have therefore created new resources, including a template motion and a template press release, to support you in calling on your Local Authority leaders to work with their communities and pledge to fight the anti-refugee laws.
Asylum Matters is holding an online event at 13:00-14:00 on Tuesday 18 October to come together to discuss the resources and share ideas, experiences and good practice in engaging and campaigning with Local Authorities. You can register for the event here.
Rwanda: Fill the Skies with Hope Day of Action and Update on Legal Challenge
On 23 September, people across the country took part in Together with Refugee’s Day of Action to mark the launch of the Fill the Skies with Hope campaign, which urges the new Prime Minister to change course on the government’s policy to banish refugees to Rwanda.
Highlights included a Tynemouth Together with Refugees demo; a gathering of campaigners at All Saints Church, Birmingham; Schools of Sanctuary across Birmingham, including St Jude’s, St Dunstan’s, and Abbey Catholic School flying hundreds of planes; and a demonstration in Bristol.
The campaign runs until 9 November 2022 and involves sending orange heart-shaped paper planes into the sky with messages to the Prime Minister, which are then sent to the PM via your MP. You can find out how to get involved here.
Campaigners are still fighting in this inhumane scheme in the courts. A number of organisations including the PCS Union brought a case in September against the Home Office in September and a further case challenging the policy brought by Asylum Aid is due to be heard on 10 October after which the High Court will hand down a judgement on both cases.
National Demonstration against Derwentside IRC
The next national protest against Derwentside (formerly known as Hassockfield) Immigration Removal Centre is taking place on the 15th of October from 12pm outside Derwentside IRC (Corbridge Road, Medomsley, County Durham, DH8 6QY). The link to the Facebook event for the demo is here.
Campaigners encourage everyone to bring instruments, placards, and orange clothing. Should you require any travel assistance or support, please contact Abolish Detention Hassockfield on abolishdetention@gmail.com. The organisers appreciate that we are now in a cost-of-living crisis and travel is becoming increasingly unaffordable and are keen for supporters to be able to show solidarity without having to make the journey. They have therefore asked if any groups would have the capacity to organise a smaller ‘supporting’ demonstration wherever you are based on the same day, or could help show solidarity on social media. Organisers will be able to share a selection of draft tweets to anyone willing to help share these on the day. If you would be able to support either of these actions, please contact Emma.Fay.Pearson@hotmail.com.
Increased detention
The new Home Secretary is reported to be scaling up the UK Government’s use of detention centres, with a new tender issued for almost £400m to operate two sites. The plan will see the Haslar centre in Hampshire reopen, alongside pre-announced plans to reopen Campsfield House in Oxfordshire, which is the subject of strong local opposition. Both facilities were closed by previous Government governments following damning inquiries.
Newcastle City Council Report on Housing Conditions for Refugees and Asylum Seekers
A Newcastle City Council Scrutiny Task and Finish Group report on Housing Conditions for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in the city has highlighted that people seeking safety who were accommodated in Newcastle hotels during lockdown were left vulnerable, isolated, and without fresh food or basic Covid protection; and that health needs were not adequately dealt with. The report has been covered by the BBC and the Chronicle.
NACCOM briefing on Ending Rough Sleeping for Good
In response to the publication of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities strategy on Ending Rough Sleeping for Good, NACCOM has published a briefing on the Government’s strategy and a statement calling on the UK Government to go much further in addressing the Home Office policies that cause homelessness, including the NRPF restriction.