Refugee Council

The latest Home Office asylum statistics show progress, but much more is needed. "We are living in an increasingly unstable world," where many have no choice but to flee their homes. Since the election, the Government has taken steps to reduce the backlog: Nearly 9,000 more asylum interviews happening each month Over three times as many asylum decisions being made This is a step in the right direction, but 97,170 people are still waiting for an asylum decision, and 38,079 people remain stuck in hotels, trapped in limbo, unable to work or integrate into communities. As our CEO Enver Solomon says: "We are encouraged to see steps taken to address the backlog, but much more must be done to ensure people are not left in limbo, unable to rebuild their lives." Hotels have become a damaging symbol of Government failure, costing billions while leaving people in uncertainty. With contract break clauses due next year, the Government must seize the opportunity to: ✔️ Reduce reliance on costly hotel accommodation ✔️ Speed up fair and accurate asylum decisions ✔️ Support those granted status to integrate and contribute An asylum system that works is one that is fair, fast, and humane. Read our full response here: https://bit.ly/4bkIhwp

Thank you for visiting our offices and for the valuable discussion on how we can work together to create more opportunities for refugees in London. It’s crucial to ensure that refugees can contribute to their communities. We look forward to continuing our collaboration to make employment more accessible for those rebuilding their lives here in Britain.

Tens of thousands of refugees blocked from British citizenship. Under new Government rules, refugees who arrived via irregular routes, like small boats, can never apply for British citizenship. Citizenship is more than a legal status, it’s a pathway to security, opportunity, and full participation in society. Many refugees who rebuild their lives in Britian go on to become doctors, teachers, business owners, and key workers, giving back to the communities that welcomed them. Denying citizenship creates barriers to integration, denying people a greater sense of belonging as full members of their communities with a stable future for themselves, their children and generations to come. We stand with over 100 organisations, including Unison, Islamic Relief UK, and the The Church of England, calling on the Home Secretary to reverse this harmful policy. Read the full letter on our website: https://bit.ly/4b7jjAB

The Government is now filming deportation flights to prove it's tough on migration. But turning people’s lives into a spectacle isn’t a solution. In today’s The Guardian, our CEO, Enver Solomon, explains why this “Deportation TV” strategy is performative, harmful, and destined to fail. Harsh enforcement pushes people into hiding, making returns harder. Voluntary returns, based on dignity and trust, are far more effective. The real crisis is the asylum backlog, not the people seeking safety. Many crossing the Channel are from Afghanistan, Sudan, Eritrea, Iran, Syria, countries torn apart by war and persecution. We need solutions, as fear and division won’t fix the system. Fairness, dignity, and clear policies will. The public want a system that is orderly and controlled but also compassionate. It's time to fix the broken asylum system, stop the spectacle and focus on real solutions, ones that work for refugees, communities, and Britain as a whole: https://lnkd.in/ecGG3idP

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Refugees, with the Refugee Council as secretariat, has released a major report calling on the UK Government to take decisive action on safe and legal routes for refugees. At a time when more people are forcibly displaced than ever before, this report outlines solutions to reduce dangerous journeys and ensure the UK remains a leader in refugee protection. Key Findings: 🔹 Resettlement targets are being missed. The UK Resettlement Scheme committed to 5,000 refugees per year, only 435 were resettled in the past year. 🔹 Family separation is worsening. Over 11,000 family reunion cases are backlogged, leaving thousands in limbo. 🔹 Safe routes work. The CHNV Parole programme in the US reduced irregular crossings by 70%, showing the impact of structured legal pathways. What Needs to Change? ✔ Set multi-year resettlement targets: Restore the commitment to at least 5,000 refugees annually. ✔ Expand family reunion rights: Allow refugee children to sponsor family members, bringing the UK in line with European standards. ✔ Pilot a humanitarian visa scheme: Provide a safe and legal alternative for people with strong asylum claims. Lord Alf Dubs, Co-Chair of the APPG on Refugees, has said: "Safe routes save lives. If we are serious about reducing dangerous crossings and protecting refugees, we must expand legal pathways to safety." #SafeRoutes #RefugeeProtection #PolicyChange #RefugeeRights #MigrationPolicy

Our Senior Public Affairs Advisor, Hayden Banks, spoke on BBC South East yesterday, about our response to the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill. While we welcome the decision to scrap failed proposals, we remain deeply concerned that without safe and legal routes, refugees could still face criminalisation instead of protection. As our CEO Enver Solomon stated: "Criminalising men, women and children fleeing war does not disrupt the smuggling gangs—it punishes victims. The real solution is to provide safe and legal ways to seek asylum." Watch Hayden’s interview below, and read our full response here: https://bit.ly/3WGCQlu

🎉 We’re thrilled to share that the Refugee Council's Fair Shot campaign has been recognised as one of The Big Issue Changemakers of 2025! ⚽Through the shared love of football, Fair Shot FC is uniting refugees, people seeking asylum and local fans to build understanding, connection, and a fairer, more compassionate Britain. Our Senior Campaigns Officer, Luke Stewart, shared insights in this fantastic Big Issue feature about how Fair Shot is breaking down barriers, one match at a time. Read the full article to learn more about the journey and impact of Fair Shot!

We’re proud to be part of the upcoming ‘Connecting the Sector’ event hosted by Migrant Help in Birmingham next Tuesday (28 January). This is a fantastic opportunity to discuss critical topics such as age disputes and young homelessness, alongside incredible organisations like Entraide UK and Young Roots. At the Refugee Council, we’re committed to supporting young people and sharing best practices to ensure they receive the care and opportunities they deserve. Events like these highlight the importance of collaboration in creating meaningful impact for refugees and people seeking asylum. If you’re passionate about making a difference, we encourage you to attend or share this with someone who might be interested. #RefugeesWelcome #Collaboration #YouthSupport

As always, the Refugee Council has been a key voice in the media since the start of the year. 💬 Our CEO, Enver Solomon, joined the conversation to champion integration and support lifting the work ban for people seeking asylum, echoing Professor Brian Bell’s advice from the Migration Advisory Committee. 📰 Dive deeper into our work and discover how we’re shaping the narrative. Read our latest blog: https://bit.ly/42dpkJx #news #media

Prospectus | B Corp are delighted to be working exclusively with the Refugee Council to help them recruit for two Fundraising roles to join their Philanthropy and Partnerships Team. The Refugee Council is a leading charity working with refugees and people seeking asylum in the UK. Founded in 1951 following the creation of the UN Refugee Convention, they exist to support and empower people who have fled conflict, violence and persecution in order to rebuild their lives here in the UK. They work with over 14,000 women, men and children each year who are desperately seeking safety. Senior Corporate & Employment Partnerships Executive – flexible Hybrid working - £39,741 to £42,861 per annum - https://lnkd.in/eXT74FxV Senior Trusts Officer – flexible Hybrid working - £38,166 to £41, 286 per annum - https://lnkd.in/eXvah53P For further details on the above opportunities please do also get in touch directly with me at Firas.Eldib@prospect-us.co.uk #Fundraising #Trusts #Foundations #Partnerships #CorporateFundraising #Refugees #Humanrights