World Refugee Day

In the UK, we are watching the Illegal Migration Bill progress through the House of Lords, a piece of legislation that will end asylum as we know it here. We are seeing the backlog of people waiting for a decision on their asylum claim grow, whilst others face the threat of removal to Rwanda. This heightening of the already hostile policy would see people seeking safety placed into quasi-detention conditions on barges, in former prisons and former barracks indefinitely.  

At Positive Action in Housing, we have spent the last year continuing our work with people from all over the world who are facing crisis. We continue to hear from people who are waiting for their status indefinitely in hotel accommodation across Scotland and are feeling isolated and alone. We continue to pair people seeking refuge who need a home with those who have a spare room or property, hearing from those who have been left destitute in our asylum system. Our caseworkers frequently work with people living on £9.10 per week, who are struggling to access food and support networks due to these cycles of destitution.  

Today we also remember those who have died on migratory routes. A recent Missing Migrant’s Project report has stated that in 2022, nearly 3,800 people died on migratory routes in and from the MENA region. Over 56,000 people have died on migration routes around the world since 2014. 

This World Refugee Day, we are calling for safe routes for people fleeing war and persecution, to ensure that no-one is forced to risk their lives to reach safety. We will continue to call for immediate and effective changes to our asylum system to ensure that those looking for safety can find it.  

Iona Taylor- Advocacy and Campaigns Lead