On Monday 15th April, Mauricio Silva and I attended the West Midlands launch of the Commission on the Integration of Refugees Final Report titled, ‘From Arrival to Integration: Building Communities for Refugees and for Britain‘ at the Birmingham City Council House. The report provides a thorough and clear analysis of the pitfalls of the UK Asylum System, and 16 evidence-based recommendations for the UK Government, to make the integration of people seeking sanctuary more fair, welcoming, and effective.
The report explains that there is widespread consensus that the UK Asylum System is fundamentally broken; this commission utilised a diverse range of expertise and political perspectives to inform the suggestions made, which aim to improve the efficacy of the system. It has been fuelled by over 1250 organisations and individuals – policymakers, politicians, researchers, people working in the sector, but, most importantly, by people with lived experience.
Some of the recommendations include faster processing of applications, lifting the ban on the right to work for asylum seekers, and free English classes that all can access from on arrival. These recommendations are supported by robust evidence provided by the London School of Economics, who have highlighted the mutually beneficial nature of the proposed changes. Not only will integration for people seeking asylum be more effective, but the UK Government will benefit financially too. The report proves that the solutions provided will be cheaper, more effective, and sustainable long-term.
It was validating to hear that the evidence produced by this report supports the idea that the system can be managed in a better way, and can be mutually beneficial for all involved. It is proof that a more compassionate and welcoming culture is not only better, but a realistic and achievable goal.
Going forward, the commissioners ask that people read the report, and share it with those who can create change, to let them know the welcome that we want people seeking sanctuary to receive. The Executive Summary can be found here.
