Rebuilding young lives

We all want to feel safe. But over the last few years, that has become more and more difficult for people seeking asylum in the UK.  

The cruel legislation introduced by the previous government - the Nationality and Borders Act (2022); the ‘Illegal’ Migration Act (2023) and the Safety of Rwanda Act (2024) - were a dismantling of the principles and processes of protection in the UK. These measures were brought in as a distraction from the real problems we’re facing in our society – but they had real impacts on people’s lives and wellbeing.  

With a new government, it is an opportunity for a fresh start. The destructive and dangerous legacy of the last years can be wiped away with the introduction of fair and compassionate asylum policies that allow us all to live together – as neighbours, as community members. We’ve seen only too clearly over the summer, with the rise of far-right mobilising and violence, that divisive policies and rhetoric on asylum and immigration have consequences that hurt us all. It’s time for change, and for leadership.  

The first few weeks of the new government gave us reason to hope. On the first day in government, the Prime Minister confirmed they would scrap the Rwanda scheme. Then, Labour announced that the Bibby Stockholm barge – used as highly inappropriate asylum accommodation – would close. And the most urgent aspects of the ‘Illegal’ Migration Act were addressed – with claims for people potentially affected by the law’s criteria now to be processed after many months of being on hold. Following that, however, were more concerning signs that lessons hadn’t been learned. It was announced that two detention centres would be re-opened – despite the overwhelming evidence of the harm that detention causes, and there’s no need and no place for its use in the immigration system. And the Home Secretary also revealed plans to ramp up removals of people who have been refused asylum – an extremely worrying statement at a time when it has become almost impossible to secure the legal representation needed to navigate a complex and high-stakes asylum process.  

At Young Roots, we hear about and share the hopes and dreams of the young people we work with. Young people who have already lost so much just want a chance to rebuild their lives, to heal, and to look to the future. Cruel and punitive asylum policies deny them of this. 

The new government must show their commitment to the right to safety – the right to asylum in the UK. The ‘Illegal’ Migration Act and the Nationality and Borders Act need to be repealed. We need safe routes to the UK. Refugees are welcome here – and we need action by this government to make that very clear to everyone.