Asylum

For years, Denmark has been held up across Europe as the archetype of a tough, deterrent-based asylum regime. It is the model now explicitly influencing the UK’s direction of travel. To understand what the UK’s new asylum policy aims to achieve, and the risks embedded within it, we need to understand what Denmark has done and what […]

In a political climate where the rhetoric about asylum and migration is increasingly hostile and divided, it is more important than ever to seek out and listen to the voices of those directly affected by experiences of fleeing and seeking safety. Makani, a woman-led organisation supporting refugee and asylum-seeking women is amplifying exactly these perspectives through […]

The UK has a legal and moral duty to provide safe and adequate accommodation to people seeking asylum. People who arrive in the UK in search of safety are often fleeing conflict, persecution or serious human rights abuses. While their claims are being decided, they depend entirely on the support and protection provided by the […]

Over 150 lawyers and refugee organisations recently signed a public statement warning of increasing far-right intimidation directed at those providing legal support to migrants. But such intimidation doesn’t always involve shouting on street corners. It can also come from the government, politicians, and the media, quietly, strategically, and with long-term consequences. Over recent weeks, we’ve seen […]

Food is a powerful tool for bringing communities together. Migrant-led supper clubs and community kitchens are reshaping high streets and village halls across the UK. These initiatives create belonging and aim to support and celebrate migrants on their journey to feeling at home. From Glasgow’s Soul Food Sisters, to London’s Migrateful Cooking Classes, these food projects are united […]

With immigration rarely out of the news, political leaders will be using Party Conference season to demonstrate why their policies will deliver. Yet how workable are these policies in practice, and how much have they been shaped by electioneering and the desire to gain political ground? In this article, our director Christopher Desira examines the […]

The latest last-minute announcement on Monday represents a marked shift in cruelty of the Labour Government. In Yvette Cooper’s latest move, she has announced that Family Reunion applications under the scheme would be paused after 4 September 2025 at 3pm, with possible new restrictions introduced in 2026. Applications submitted before that date and time will […]

A new pilot scheme between the UK and France came into force this week, that will have a significant impact on people arriving in the UK to seek asylum. Under this new agreement, known as the “one-in-one-out” deal, some people who cross the Channel in small boats will now be sent back to France, without […]

Solidarity, Friendship, Respect. These are the values behind Sanctuary Runners Brighton.  This year’s Refugee Week theme, Community as a Superpower, highlights the everyday ways we build connection, belonging and hope. Running, has a unique power to bring people together — it breaks down language barriers, boosts mental and physical health, and builds shared purpose through movement.  […]

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming part of how governments manage immigration and asylum processes. In the UK, where the asylum system is facing record delays, AI is now being used in new ways to help process claims. According to the Home Office, trials of AI-assisted tools have shown potential for making decisions faster. But with […]

In this article, Seraphus staff member highlights the work being done to support people seeking asylum and migrants in local communities across the UK. With this, we want to emphasise the many ways in which local initiatives and organisations can make a difference in the hostile environment faced by displaced individuals and migrant communities. Moving […]

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) recently released a compelling report highlighting the urgent need for a shift in how asylum accommodation is managed in the UK. With annual costs for housing and supporting asylum seekers in the UK now at a staggering £41,000 per person, up from £17,000 in 2019/20, the current system is unsustainable. […]

In this article, Seraphus staff member highlights the work being done to support people seeking asylum and migrants in local communities across the UK. With this, we want to emphasise the many ways in which local initiatives and organisations can make a difference in the hostile environment faced by displaced individuals and migrant communities. In […]

The term ‘legal aid desert’ refers to areas where there is a significant lack of legal aid services, leaving many individuals without access to the legal assistance they need. In the UK, this issue is particularly acute in asylum and immigration cases, where vulnerable individuals face substantial barriers to justice without adequate legal representation. This article explores […]