Scottish Refugee Council has drawn up a manifesto for refugee protection.

We will be looking more closely at each of our key manifesto asks in the lead-up to the general election, and at events which have happened recently to bring these points into focus. We encourage you to read each party’s manifesto on refugee protection.

 

Scottish Refugee Council call for fundamental reform to the asylum system – a vital public service.

  • There must be investment in the system to ensure that its decisions are good-quality, fair and just.
  • Restore the right to work for people seeking asylum, including those whose asylum claim has been refused and who are not in a position to return.
  • Restore the right to social security for people seeking asylum.
  • Ensure that rates of support are in line with mainstream benefits.

It should be an honour to offer safety and protection to people in need, and for people to be able to rebuild their lives here.

People are currently left in poverty for months or often years, on just £5.39 per day, whilst awaiting a decision on their asylum claim. It is estimated that the UK economy could gain £42.4m per year if the ban on right to work was lifted.

Some examples of what parties (A-Z) are saying in their manifestos on fundamental reform to the asylum system. We encourage you to click through to each party and read their manifesto in full. 

Brexit: “Crack down on illegal immigration.”

Conservatives: “We will continue to grant asylum and support to refugees fleeing persecution, with the ultimate aim of helping them to return home if it is safe to do so.”

Green Party:  “End the hostile environment (60); Scrap Home Office and create Ministry of Sanctuary (enforcing migration rules with compassion and due regard to human rights, and recompense for those affected by Windrush scandal) and Ministry of Interior  for domestic security (39); Grant the right to work for people seeking asylum whilst applications are considered. (62); Reinstate access to public funds/support for asylum seekers who need it. (62); Abolish powers brought in under 2014 and 2016 Immigration Acts and scrap health charging for migrants (62)”

Labour: “End the hostile environment (70); We will scrap the 2014 Immigration Act introduced by the Tories with their Liberal Democrat coalition partners. (70); Once here, refugees will have the right to work (71); Refugees will have access to public services and will be treated humanely by government at all levels. (71)”

Liberal Democrats: “Scrap hostile environment; Move asylum policymaking to DIFD and establish a dedicated unit to improve decision making; Firewall between public agencies and the Home Office to prevent data sharing for the purposes of immigration enforcement; End culture of disbelief for LGBT claims for asylum; Right to work after three months after application, in any role.”

SNP: “Independent body to make decisions on asylum applications (46); Reform of the detention and asylum system for LGBT+ individuals (46); Introduction of fair asylum system & and end to detention for those claiming asylum (46); the right to work for asylum seekers (46)”

UKIP: ““Asylum will not be granted to migrants who have entered the UK illegally from a safe country like France, Belgium or Ireland (9)”

 

Chris Afuakwah
Author: Chris Afuakwah