Mayor's statement on Government's asylum proposals

The Mayor of Lewisham Brenda Dacres OBE, recently met with representatives from leading refugee and migrant charities and support organisations working in Lewisham to understand the impact of the Government’s proposals to change the asylum system.

She wanted to understand how the proposals will affect local organisations, the public sector, and those seeking and granted asylum, as well as our diverse local communities.

The statement below sets out their collective concerns. The Mayor will be writing to the Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to share their views:

“Lewisham has a long and proud history of being a place of welcome, dignity and safety for people seeking sanctuary. As the UK’s first formally recognised Borough of Sanctuary, we see every day how refugees, asylum seekers and migrants become part of the fabric of our community - working, studying, volunteering and contributing to the borough they now call home.

“The Government’s newly announced asylum proposals mark a significant shift in how the UK treats people seeking safety. While we share the aim of ending dangerous small-boat crossings and tackling the criminal gangs who exploit vulnerable people, and we welcome the commitment to expand safe routes, a number of the proposed measures nevertheless raise serious concerns.

“It’s important to remember why people seek asylum; they are fleeing conditions that few of us could imagine. People seeking asylum are just like everybody else: all they want is a safe place to live, work and build a life.

“A 20-year route to settlement and repeated periods of temporary protection would leave families and young people in decades of uncertainty. These are future residents, workers and taxpayers of this country - keeping people in limbo for years means they can’t plan their lives, put down roots or fully contribute to their local community.

“Removing the 56-day move-on period for newly recognised refugees risks a rise in street homelessness at a time when councils are already under immense pressure. For people who have finally been granted safety, pushing them into instability makes it harder for them to secure housing, rebuild their lives and move towards independence.

“Restricting family reunion is particularly troubling. Keeping spouses and children apart does not enhance safety; it increases the likelihood that people will attempt dangerous journeys or fall prey to traffickers in an effort to reunite with their loved ones.

“Proposals that reduce support or make the right to work even more complex risk pushing people into poverty and destitution - outcomes that hurt both individuals and the wider community. When people are blocked from working or accessing basic support, they can’t build stable lives or contribute to the economy - creating avoidable hardship and additional pressure on local services.

“The potential inclusion of forced removals of children contradicts basic safeguarding principles and risks deep, lasting harm. No child should face the trauma of removal from their home, school or support networks, and these proposals would place already vulnerable young people in situations that no safeguarding system would ever endorse.

“Here in Lewisham, we know that when people are safe, supported and able to rebuild their lives, they thrive. They put down roots. They contribute to the local economy. They support our public services. They become neighbours, colleagues and friends. They are part of who we are.

“For these reasons, Lewisham urges the Government to review these proposals and focus on solutions that prioritise family life, expand safe routes, and target the criminal gangs who profit from desperation - rather than penalising the people they exploit.

“Lewisham remains steadfast in its values: everyone deserves to be treated with humanity, dignity and respect. We will continue to stand with those seeking sanctuary, and we will continue to champion a community where everyone can belong.”

Mayor of Lewisham, Brenda Dacres OBE

Cllr Oana Olaru-Holmes, Cabinet Member for Safer Lewisham, Refugees and Equalities

Renae Mann, Executive Director of Services, Refugee Council

Alan Robertson, CEO, Lewisham Refugee Migrant Network (LRMN)

Chloe, Executive Director, Action for Refugees in Lewisham (AFRIL)