Asylum reforms statement

The government’s newly announced reforms represent some of the most significant changes to the UK’s asylum and human-rights framework in a generation. We know these announcements will cause anxiety for many people seeking safety in the UK, and concern among those who support them.  

At Migrant Help, our focus is on protecting those who endured profound trauma fleeing war, exploitation and danger and are starting to rebuild their lives in the UK. We remain committed to working with the government, partners and people with lived experience to create an asylum system that is fair, efficient and protects those in need. 

We urge the Government to:  

• Ensure safe routes are scaled, sustainable and protect those in need  

• Maintain statutory support for destitute people seeking asylum  

• Protect children from being wrongly treated as adults  

• Uphold the UK’s human rights and anti-trafficking obligations  

• Preserve the right to a fair and effective appeal  

Behind every statistic, there are people with their own unique stories who found themselves facing unimaginable circumstances. The UK’s proud history of offering safety to those in need shows us that with a little empathy and support, refugees and people seeking asylum become valuable members of our communities and have done so over many generations.