Refugees Alert Sample


Alert Sample

Alert results for: Refugees

Information between 3rd April 2024 - 13th April 2024

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Select Committee Documents
Thursday 4th April 2024
Written Evidence - University of Sussex
VMLA0009 - Value for Money from Legal Aid

Public Accounts Committee

Found: Refugee Action. https://www.refugee-action.org.uk/no-access-to-justice-how-legal-advice-deserts-fail-refugees

Thursday 4th April 2024
Written Evidence - Anti Trafficking and Labour Exploitation Unit (ATLEU)
VMLA0012 - Value for Money from Legal Aid

Public Accounts Committee

Found: In 2023 alone, ATLEU supported 285 survivors of trafficking and slavery - 98% of whom were refugees

Thursday 4th April 2024
Written Evidence - Immigration Law Practitioners' Association (ILPA)
VMLA0003 - Value for Money from Legal Aid

Public Accounts Committee

Found: §39 - 42. 7 Dr Jo Wilding for Refugee Action, ‘No Access to Justice: How Legal Advice Deserts Fail Refugees

Thursday 4th April 2024
Report - Third Report - FCDO and disability-inclusive development

International Development Committee

Found: directly impacted persons with disabilities; • A protection programme with disability elements for refugees

Thursday 4th April 2024
Report - Large Print - FCDO and disability-inclusive development

International Development Committee

Found: directly impacted persons with disabilities; • A protection programme with disability elements for refugees



Written Answers
Sudan: Armed Conflict
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Monday 8th April 2024

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the civil war in Sudan and the humanitarian consequences for communities and individuals across that country.

Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The humanitarian situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate, with 24.8 million people in need of assistance. The conflict that started on 15 April 2023 has displaced more than 8 million people, including over 1.9 million who have fled Sudan to neighbouring countries. The recent Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) projection for Sudan reveals that intense conflict and organised violence, combined with continued economic decline, have driven approximately 17.7 million people into high levels of acute food insecurity. The UK is providing £42.6 million in humanitarian aid to Sudan in 2023-2024. We are also helping those fleeing to neighbouring countries, with £7.75 million to support existing and new Sudanese refugees as well as vulnerable returnees and host communities South Sudan and £15 million to Chad.

Asylum: Sleeping Rough
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Chelmsford (Bishops - Bishops)
Thursday 4th April 2024

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following the publication of their rough sleeping statistics on 29 February which showed a 965.91 per cent increase from July to December 2023 in people sleeping rough after leaving asylum support over the previous 85 days, what consideration they have given to extending the move-on period from 28 days to 56 days for refugees leaving asylum support; and what assessment they have made of the impact this extension would have on homelessness.

Answered by Lord Sharpe of Epsom - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Second Permanent Secretary and I recently met with the Bishop of London to discuss the Government support available to newly recognised refugees moving on from asylum accommodation.

Following the service of an asylum decision, an individual continues to be an asylum seeker for the purpose of asylum support until the end of the relevant prescribed period set out in legislation. This period is 28 calendar days from when an individual is notified of a decision to accept their asylum claim and grant them leave and we have no plans to extend this period. Whilst our legislative power is clear, we do in practice already extend support beyond this. Our current process means that individuals can remain on asylum support for at least 28 days after they have been issued a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), which means that individuals have longer than 28 days to make arrangements to move on before their asylum support ends. It is important that individuals initiate plans to move on from asylum support as soon as they are served their asylum decision in order to maximise the time they have to make move on arrangements.

We offer move on support to all individuals through Migrant Help or their partner organisation.  This includes providing advice on accessing the labour market, on applying for Universal Credit and signposting to local authorities for assistance with housing.  Individuals do not need to wait for their BRP to make a claim for benefits and are encouraged to do so as early as possible if they require them.

We continue to identify and make efficiencies in supporting newly recognised refugees during the move on period and to mitigate the risk of homelessness. We are fully committed to working with partners in doing this. We have already worked closely with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) to ensure the right asylum decision data is being shared with local authorities to enable effective planning and to lessen the impact on existing homelessness and rough sleeping pressures.  We are also utilising Home Office Liaison Officers to replicate part of the Afghan resettlement move on process. We have been working in three local authority areas since December 2023; Glasgow, Brent and Hillingdon. This has now been expanded to Manchester and Liverpool.

Asylum: Housing and Social Security Benefits
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Chelmsford (Bishops - Bishops)
Thursday 4th April 2024

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to work with the third sector to jointly create a comprehensive and properly funded transition process for people whose asylum support is due to end, to enable information and support around housing and benefits to be given as far in advance as possible.

Answered by Lord Sharpe of Epsom - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Second Permanent Secretary and I recently met with the Bishop of London to discuss the Government support available to newly recognised refugees moving on from asylum accommodation.

Following the service of an asylum decision, an individual continues to be an asylum seeker for the purpose of asylum support until the end of the relevant prescribed period set out in legislation. This period is 28 calendar days from when an individual is notified of a decision to accept their asylum claim and grant them leave and we have no plans to extend this period. Whilst our legislative power is clear, we do in practice already extend support beyond this. Our current process means that individuals can remain on asylum support for at least 28 days after they have been issued a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), which means that individuals have longer than 28 days to make arrangements to move on before their asylum support ends. It is important that individuals initiate plans to move on from asylum support as soon as they are served their asylum decision in order to maximise the time they have to make move on arrangements.

We offer move on support to all individuals through Migrant Help or their partner organisation.  This includes providing advice on accessing the labour market, on applying for Universal Credit and signposting to local authorities for assistance with housing.  Individuals do not need to wait for their BRP to make a claim for benefits and are encouraged to do so as early as possible if they require them.

We continue to identify and make efficiencies in supporting newly recognised refugees during the move on period and to mitigate the risk of homelessness. We are fully committed to working with partners in doing this. We have already worked closely with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) to ensure the right asylum decision data is being shared with local authorities to enable effective planning and to lessen the impact on existing homelessness and rough sleeping pressures.  We are also utilising Home Office Liaison Officers to replicate part of the Afghan resettlement move on process. We have been working in three local authority areas since December 2023; Glasgow, Brent and Hillingdon. This has now been expanded to Manchester and Liverpool.

Asylum: Housing
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Chelmsford (Bishops - Bishops)
Thursday 4th April 2024

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the benefits of staggering evictions of refugees from Home Office accommodation, particularly where the person is working with their local authority or a third sector organisation, to prevent their homelessness.

Answered by Lord Sharpe of Epsom - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Second Permanent Secretary and I recently met with the Bishop of London to discuss the Government support available to newly recognised refugees moving on from asylum accommodation.

Following the service of an asylum decision, an individual continues to be an asylum seeker for the purpose of asylum support until the end of the relevant prescribed period set out in legislation. This period is 28 calendar days from when an individual is notified of a decision to accept their asylum claim and grant them leave and we have no plans to extend this period. Whilst our legislative power is clear, we do in practice already extend support beyond this. Our current process means that individuals can remain on asylum support for at least 28 days after they have been issued a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), which means that individuals have longer than 28 days to make arrangements to move on before their asylum support ends. It is important that individuals initiate plans to move on from asylum support as soon as they are served their asylum decision in order to maximise the time they have to make move on arrangements.

We offer move on support to all individuals through Migrant Help or their partner organisation.  This includes providing advice on accessing the labour market, on applying for Universal Credit and signposting to local authorities for assistance with housing.  Individuals do not need to wait for their BRP to make a claim for benefits and are encouraged to do so as early as possible if they require them.

We continue to identify and make efficiencies in supporting newly recognised refugees during the move on period and to mitigate the risk of homelessness. We are fully committed to working with partners in doing this. We have already worked closely with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) to ensure the right asylum decision data is being shared with local authorities to enable effective planning and to lessen the impact on existing homelessness and rough sleeping pressures.  We are also utilising Home Office Liaison Officers to replicate part of the Afghan resettlement move on process. We have been working in three local authority areas since December 2023; Glasgow, Brent and Hillingdon. This has now been expanded to Manchester and Liverpool.

Asylum and Migrants: Housing
Asked by: Lord Hay of Ballyore (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Thursday 4th April 2024

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many (1) asylum seekers, and (2) other migrants are being housed in hotel-style accommodation; and how much financial support they are providing in support of these arrangements.

Answered by Lord Sharpe of Epsom - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

Data on the number of supported asylum seekers in accommodation (including in contingency hotels and other contingency accommodation) is published in table Asy_D11 here: Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Data on other immigration groups is published in table Reg_01 of the Regional and local authority data. This includes the number of people accommodated in interim accommodation as part of the Afghan Resettlement Programme.

The standard weekly allowance is £49.18 for each supported asylum seeker in self-catered accommodation and £8.86 for each supported asylum seeker in catered accommodation.  Further information on what support asylum seekers receive can be found in the attached link: https://www.gov.uk/asylum-support/what-youll-get.

Individuals on our resettlement schemes with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK have access to mainstream benefits and services to enable their integration; and we are working across Government to ensure these services meet the needs of refugees.

UNRWA: Finance
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Worcester (Bishops - Bishops)
Thursday 4th April 2024

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on the humanitarian relief effort in Gaza and the West Bank of the decision to suspend aid to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Our decision to pause future funding to UNRWA has no impact on the UK's contribution to the humanitarian response. We remain committed to getting humanitarian aid to people in Gaza who desperately need it, including through other UN agencies and British charities. We trebled our aid commitment this financial year and we are doing everything we can to get more aid in as quickly as possible by land, sea and air. UK funding has supported the work of partners including the British Red Cross, World Food Programme, UNICEF and Egyptian Red Crescent Society (ERCS) to deliver vital supplies.

UNRWA: Finance
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Worcester (Bishops - Bishops)
Thursday 4th April 2024

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on the livelihoods of Palestinian refugees in Syria, Jordan and Lebanon of the decision to suspend aid to the United Nations Refugee and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK provided £35 million to UNRWA this financial year, including an uplift of £16 million for the Gaza humanitarian response, all of which was disbursed before the recent allegations came to light. No more British funding is due this financial year and we have paused any future funding of UNRWA..

Indeed, we are appalled by allegations that UNRWA staff were involved in the 7 October attack against Israel, a heinous act of terrorism that the UK Government has repeatedly condemned.

We want UNRWA to give detailed undertakings about changes in personnel, policy and precedents to ensure this can never happen again. We are working with allies to try to bring this situation to a rapid conclusion. I have discussed this with Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini on several occasions, most recently on 4 April.

We are aware that the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services and Catherine Colonna have now provided their interim reports to the UN Secretary-General.

Gaza: Refugees
Asked by: Lord Swire (Conservative - Life peer)
Thursday 4th April 2024

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have had discussions with (1) the European Union, or (2) the government of Egypt, about receiving Palestinian refugees from Gaza.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Government firmly rejects any suggestion of the resettlement of Palestinians outside of Gaza.

The UK's position is clear: Gaza is Occupied Palestinian Territory and will and must be part of a future Palestinian state. We support a two-state solution that guarantees security and stability for both the Israeli and Palestinian people. This is the only viable option to ensure peace.

Gaza: Refugees
Asked by: Lord Swire (Conservative - Life peer)
Thursday 4th April 2024

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are aware of any plans of the government of Israel to rehome Palestinian refugees from Gaza in the Sinai.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Government firmly rejects any suggestion of the resettlement of Palestinians outside of Gaza.

The UK's position is clear: Gaza is Occupied Palestinian Territory and will and must be part of a future Palestinian state. We support a two-state solution that guarantees security and stability for both the Israeli and Palestinian people. This is the only viable option to ensure peace.

UNRWA: Finance
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Southwark (Bishops - Bishops)
Thursday 4th April 2024

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to reinstate funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, and, if so, when.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK provided £35 million to UNRWA this financial year, including an uplift of £16 million for the Gaza humanitarian response, all of which was disbursed before the recent allegations came to light. No more British funding is due this financial year and we have paused any future funding of UNRWA. I met with Commissioner-General Phillipe Lazzarini on 4 April to discuss the steps they are taking in response to the interim findings.

We want UNRWA to give detailed undertakings about changes in personnel, policy and precedents to ensure this can never happen again. We are working with allies to try to bring this situation to a rapid conclusion - not least because UNRWA have a vital role to play in providing aid and services in Gaza.

We are aware that the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services and Catherine Colonna have now provided their interim reports to the UN Secretary-General.

Our decision to pause future funding to UNRWA has no impact on the UK's contribution to the humanitarian response. We remain committed to getting humanitarian aid to the people in Gaza who desperately need it, including through other UN agencies and British charities.



Petitions

Commit to cutting diplomatic ties with Israel if the Rafah offensive goes ahead

Petition Open - 71 Signatures

Sign this petition 4 Oct 2024
closes in 5 months, 1 week

We believe the UK has the responsibility to protect the displaced Palestinian refugees who are facing one of the worst humanitarian crises of our lifetime. With widespread reports of famine, disease and no medicines we think it is imperative that a comprehensive permanent ceasefire is reached.


Found: Rafah is now hosting over 1 million vulnerable Palestinian refugees who have nowhere left to go.

Take action to pressure Russia and support refugees over anti-LGBTQ+ measures

Petition Open - 16 Signatures

Sign this petition 9 Oct 2024
closes in 5 months, 2 weeks

Russia’s supreme court ruled the ‘international LGBT movement’ as ‘extremist' in November 2023. We are concerned this is leading to the increased persecution of people suspected to be LGBTQ+.


Found: We want the Government to take action to pressure Russia and support refugees over anti-LGBTQ+ measures



Department Publications - Guidance
Friday 12th April 2024
Home Office
Source Page: Immigration Rules archive: 10 April 2024 to 10 April 2024
Document: Immigration Rules archive: 10 April 2024 to 10 April 2024 (PDF)

Found: Convention” means the 1951 United Nations C onvention and its 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees

Friday 12th April 2024
Home Office
Source Page: Immigration Rules archive: 4 April 2024 to 9 April 2024
Document: Immigration Rules archive: 4 April 2024 to 9 April 2024 (PDF)

Found: Convention” means the 1951 United Nations Convention and its 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees



Department Publications - News and Communications
Thursday 11th April 2024
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Source Page: 60th round of Geneva International Discussions: UK statement to the OSCE
Document: 60th round of Geneva International Discussions: UK statement to the OSCE (webpage)

Found: We regret that important issues including of internally displaced persons and refugees were not discussed

Thursday 4th April 2024
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Source Page: We must not allow Myanmar to become a forgotten crisis: UK statement at the UN Security Council
Document: We must not allow Myanmar to become a forgotten crisis: UK statement at the UN Security Council (webpage)

Found: conducive for any repatriation of the Rohingya and we commend Bangladesh for hosting so many Rohingya refugees



Department Publications - Statistics
Wednesday 10th April 2024
Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities
Source Page: Partnerships for People and Place: learning and evaluation report
Document: Partnerships for People and Place Programme: learning and evaluation report (PDF)

Found: benefits, mental health, substance misuse, carers, and physical health as well as targeted support to refugees

Wednesday 10th April 2024
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Source Page: Statistics on International Development: provisional UK aid spend 2023
Document: Statistics on International Development: provisional UK aid spend 2023 (PDF)

Found: In 2023, £4.3 billion (27.9%) of total UK ODA was spent supporting refugees in the UK, an increase of

Wednesday 10th April 2024
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Source Page: Statistics on International Development: provisional UK aid spend 2023
Document: (ODS)

Found: The OECD define IDRC as spend supporting refugees in any donor country.



Non-Departmental Publications - Guidance and Regulation
Apr. 11 2024
UK Visas and Immigration
Source Page: National Age Assessment Board: caseworker guidance
Document: The operation of the National Age Assessment Board and sections 50 and 51 of the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 (PDF)
Guidance and Regulation

Found: the operational delivery and policy development of the UK’s resettlement and integration offer for refugees

Apr. 04 2024
UK Export Finance (UKEF)
Source Page: Category A project under consideration: Electrification Project, Uíge Province, Angola
Document: Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for Uige Electrification Project – Lot 1, Phase 2 (PDF)
Guidance and Regulation

Found: disorganized manner due to the dispersion of urban areas and the unbalanced growth of areas inhabited by refugees

Apr. 04 2024
UK Visas and Immigration
Source Page: Visit the UK as part of a French school trip
Document: France-UK school trip travel information form (PDF)
Guidance and Regulation

Found: valid travel document issued under the terms of the 1951 and 1954 Conventions relating to the status of Refugees

Apr. 04 2024
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
Source Page: International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use Guidelines
Document: E6(R2) – Good Clinical Practice (GCP) (PDF)
Guidance and Regulation

Found: impoverished persons, patients in emergency situations, ethnic minority groups, homeless persons, nomads , refugees



Non-Departmental Publications - Research and Statistics
Apr. 09 2024
Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency
Source Page: Young People's Attitudes to Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Northern Ireland 2023
Document: Young People's Attitudes to Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Northern Ireland 2023 (webpage)
Research and Statistics

Found: Young People's Attitudes to Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Northern Ireland 2023




Refugees mentioned in Scottish results


Scottish Cross Party Group Publications
Minute of the meeting held on 8 December 2023 (PDF)
Source Page: Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Wellbeing Economy
Published: 8th Dec 2023

Found: for Culture, Europe and International Development and as Minister with special responsibility for Refugees



Scottish Government Publications
Friday 12th April 2024

Source Page: Call to establish safe routes for people fleeing Gaza: letter to UK Government
Document: Call to establish safe routes for people fleeing Gaza: letter to UK Government (webpage)

Found: From: Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees Emma RoddickTo: UK Government Minister for Legal

Friday 12th April 2024
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Source Page: Rapid Rehousing Transition Plans Sub-Group minutes: March 2024
Document: Rapid Rehousing Transition Plans Sub-Group minutes: March 2024 (webpage)

Found: authorities are being hit in all directions with various pressures from multi agencies, Shore Standards, Refugees

Friday 12th April 2024
Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Source Page: Human Rights Bill Governance and Engagement Advisory Board: December 2023
Document: Human Rights Bill Governance and Engagement Advisory Board: December 2023 (webpage)

Found: Emma Roddick MSP, Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees, Scottish GovernmentBrianna Fletcher

Thursday 11th April 2024
External Affairs Directorate
Source Page: Donations to UNRWA for Gaza: FOI release
Document: FOI 202400396149 - Information Released - Annex A (PDF)

Found: redact ed] Option 2: Allocate £500,000 of SG funding to UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees