Every refugee matters: our policy calls

This is what we believe. Will you join us?

The government is passing the Nationality and Borders Bill into law.

The Bill proposes to treat people seeking protection as refugees differently based on how they arrived in the UK, rather than assessing the dangers they have fled.

We are concerned this will leave many without access to vital support, including family reunion, and increase the risk of poverty. It could even see people seeking asylum being criminalised and put in prison.

The British Red Cross supports over 30,000 refugees and people seeking asylum in the UK each year. We know that many people will continue to search for safety in any way they can. We believe every refugee matters: that’s why we are calling for a kinder and more compassionate way to treat refugees.

This includes making fair decisions based on someone’s need for protection and not on the way they arrived here.

We believe every refugee should be able to find safety

• Every year, the UK should provide 10,000 places for people to resettle here.
• The UK should create more safe and legal ways for people to seek protection here.
• People seeking asylum should have their application considered based on their need for protection, not on how they arrived in the UK.

We believe every refugee should have a home.

• People should be able to live in safe, dignified accommodation, no matter where they are in the asylum system.

We believe every refugee should have the support they need.

• For a better system, people should receive quality legal advice early in the asylum process.
• People seeking asylum should be supported to register with a GP and access healthcare.
• The NHS should not share data with the Home Office without the consent of the person who needs help.
• Financial support for people seeking asylum should be enough to cover their needs.

We believe every refugee should be able to have their loved ones with them.

• Refugees should have immediate access to family reunion rights.
• Adult refugees in the UK should be able to sponsor their children who depend on adults, up to the age of 25, to join them.
• The family reunion process should be made safer and more accessible for families.

We believe every refugee should be able to rebuild their life and contribute to society.

• Decisions on asylum applications should be taken quickly and be right the first time so that people can move on with their lives. ·
• The move-on period for newly recognised refugees should be extended to at least 56 days.

Take action and find out more

If, like us, you believe every refugee matters, show your support and sign the pledge.