The Immigration and Asylum Bill represents one of the most significant proposed changes to the UK’s asylum, immigration and modern slavery systems in recent years.

The UK has historically recognised the need for an asylum system that is fair, efficient and trusted. At Migrant Help, we agree that people should receive timely decisions, prolonged uncertainty should be reduced, and those in need of protection should be able to rebuild their lives safely and with dignity.

However, this Bill raises serious concerns about how the UK will be able to uphold those principles in practice.

The Bill creates the legal framework for significant changes to refugee protection, including a move toward a new protection status model. We are concerned that any shift away from secure protection risks leaving refugees in prolonged uncertainty. When someone is recognised as needing protection, it means they have fled persecution, conflict or serious harm. Our clients tell us they need stability, safety and a meaningful chance to recover and integrate, not repeated insecurity over their future.

We are also worried by proposals that would allow the Government to recover costs from some people who have received asylum support. Asylum support exists because people would otherwise be destitute. For someone who has fled persecution, conflict or exploitation, the moment they are finally able to begin rebuilding their life should bring relief and stability. It is essential that people are not discouraged from seeking the support they need, and that safeguards are clear, accessible and properly understood.

The Bill makes major changes to immigration appeals, including the creation of a new Independent Immigration Appeals Authority. A fair and effective appeal system is not meant to be a barrier to justice but rather a safeguard that helps ensure life-changing decisions are made properly. Any reform must protect independence, access to legal advice, reasonable adjustments for vulnerable people, and the ability for each person’s circumstances to be fully and fairly considered.

We are particularly concerned about the Bill’s approach to Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights and family life. The right to respect for private and family life is an important protection for children, families and people with deep ties to the UK. Any attempt to define family life too narrowly risks failing to reflect the realities of people’s circumstances, including separated families, care relationships, survivors of trauma and those whose support networks do not fit neatly into a narrow legal category.

The modern slavery provisions also require close scrutiny. We welcome efforts to strengthen action against traffickers and exploiters, including measures relating to prevention orders, child trafficking guardians and supply-chain transparency. However, we are concerned that parts of the Bill could make it harder for survivors to be identified and supported.

Survivors of trafficking and exploitation do not always disclose their experiences immediately. Delayed disclosure is often the result of trauma, shame, fear, coercion, language barriers, distrust of authorities or not recognising that what happened was exploitation. Any system that treats delay, inconsistency or incomplete disclosure primarily as a credibility problem will risk missing potential victims and weakening the UK’s response to modern slavery.

Children and vulnerable adults must be protected throughout this process. The Bill should not create barriers that prevent people from accessing support, legal advice, safeguarding or a fair hearing. This is especially important for survivors of trafficking, people with complex trauma, families with children, and people who may struggle to explain their circumstances within short or rigid deadlines.

Behind every case are people with their own stories, families and hopes for the future. The UK can have an asylum and immigration system that is well-managed and trusted while still upholding compassion, fairness and the rule of law.

We urge MPs to scrutinise this Bill carefully as it moves through Parliament. In particular, we call for safeguards to ensure that people are not pushed into destitution, families are not separated unnecessarily, survivors of trafficking and exploitation are properly identified and supported, and everyone has access to a fair and independent appeal.

Migrant Help remains committed to working constructively with government, partners and people with lived experience to help build an asylum system that is fair, humane and worthy of public trust.