Take a stand against extortionate…

Editorials

Take a stand against extortionate visa fees

While people across the country were already struggling to cover the crippling cost of extortionate visa fees, many more have been thrown into precarious positions, and potential destitution, with the implementation of significant increases. On 4 October the cost of certain visa applications went up by 15-20%. This meant, for example, that for those applying for a visa to join their partner or child, if they are British or have lived here for more than seven years, went up from £1,538 to £1,846 - and they also need to pay…

While people across the country were already struggling to cover the crippling cost of extortionate visa fees, many more have been thrown into precarious positions, and potential destitution, with the…

The world must not weaken protections for refugees

The 1951 United Nations Convention on the Status of Refugees was agreed after the world witnessed some of the worst atrocities it had then seen. It was agreed in acknowledgment that other countries had not done enough to protect those affected. The UK alone rejected half a million asylum applications, and saw that it could not abandon people to face torture and death again. With her speech today the Home Secretary seeks to reverse the steps we have made in recognising that being part of a global community means providing…

The 1951 United Nations Convention on the Status of Refugees was agreed after the world witnessed some of the worst atrocities it had then seen. It was agreed in acknowledgment…

Putting ourselves in the picture

Imagine being left out of your own story. Then imagine that there are lots of stories being told about you, but you’re not the one telling the story. There’s a frame around your picture, but you don’t recognise yourself. All too often that’s the situation for migrants’ own stories, and this and its consequences are what Migrant Voice was set up to address. In our Putting Ourselves in the Picture project in Glasgow, we’re working to address the missing migration stories in the heritage of Scotland. Scotland has a…

Imagine being left out of your own story. Then imagine that there are lots of stories being told about you, but you’re not the one telling the story. There’s a…

Kick off for our Migration, Making Britain Great campaign

As we gear up for the start of the new Premier League season it is evident how immigration and diversity have helped create one of the top tiers of global football. Partnering with Show Racism the Red Card and IMIX, Migrant Voice are proud to stand up for that diversity and show how immigration brings the same strength and talent to our whole country. Our partnership campaign, Migration, Making Britain Great, aims to challenge and address the myths and misconceptions which surround migration, and show how it has not only…

As we gear up for the start of the new Premier League season it is evident how immigration and diversity have helped create one of the top tiers of global…

The 'Refugee Ban Bill' passes - the fight goes on

As the Refugee Ban Bill is set to become law, Parliament has voted to diminish this country's global stand on protection and adherence to international law, and put the most vulnerable at risk. It has voted to continue adding to the rhetoric that migrants, all migrants, are only statistics, their lives and their needs ignored. They have voted for a bill which even this government acknowledges risks violating our commitment to international law and human rights. This is not the end though. We refuse to stand by, and will continue to…

As the Refugee Ban Bill is set to become law, Parliament has voted to diminish this country's global stand on protection and adherence to international law, and put the most vulnerable…

A penalty tax on migrants is no solution to public pay

Increasing visa fees and the National Health Service surcharge to pay towards a public pay increase is a penalty tax on migrants. The public sector needs a pay rise, but to do so at the expense of migrants is exploitation at a state level. When the Prime Minister said that he didn’t want “taxpayers” to foot the bill for the pay rises he ignored that migrants pay taxes. The government’s plans to raise visa fees and the surcharge are a “penalty tax” for being born elsewhere. What this government is…

Increasing visa fees and the National Health Service surcharge to pay towards a public pay increase is a penalty tax on migrants. The public sector needs a pay rise, but…

The UK must not abdicate from its responsibilities to refugees

FRIDAY, 7 JULY As the Anti-Refugee Bill returns to the House of Commons, Members of Parliament have the opportunity to end this inhumane and immoral proposal once and for all. The bill faced significant opposition in the House of Lords, with 20 amendments being sent back to Parliament, believed to be a record for any piece of legislation. The reality, however, is that no amount of tweaks of changes can make this bill any better. At its core, its very purpose, it is performative cruelty. What this government is…

FRIDAY, 7 JULY As the Anti-Refugee Bill returns to the House of Commons, Members of Parliament have the opportunity to end this inhumane and immoral proposal once and for…

Rwanda verdict: One step closer to restoring humanity

THURSDAY, 29 JUNE 2023 The Court of Appeals ruling is a welcome win against this government’s inhumane and abhorrent plan to forcibly remove asylum seekers to Rwanda. We must remain vigilant, however, against this government’s attempts to continue to push it through. For now though, this will come as a relief to so many people who have been left in limbo, and facing even more trauma, on top of that which they have already gone through, while waiting to find out what might happen to them. From the outset the…

THURSDAY, 29 JUNE 2023 The Court of Appeals ruling is a welcome win against this government’s inhumane and abhorrent plan to forcibly remove asylum seekers to Rwanda. We must remain…

Beyond Counting: how migrants make Britain better

THURSDAY 25 MAY 2023 With the release of today’s immigration statistics the way in which migrants are talked about in the UK are once more put at the forefront of the debate, a debate which routinely ignores the voices of those most affected by it. It is deplorable to see such a toxic narrative on migration in which so few media outlets or politicians challenge or even question the assumption that migration is bad for Britain, despite all the evidence to the contrary. Migrants aren't statistics, they aren't numbers on…

THURSDAY 25 MAY 2023 With the release of today’s immigration statistics the way in which migrants are talked about in the UK are once more put at the forefront of…

NO SECURITY. NO REST. NO SOLUTION. What the hotel scandal tells us about the asylum system

Our latest report on the experiences of asylum seekers in hotel accommodation exposed systematic neglect and human rights violations. Reporting on our findings, the Observer describes how people fleeing persecution, oppression and armed conflict are forced to live on “rancid food… in windowless rooms smaller than prison cells.” But this is just one aspect of a whole system set up to fail by a government that subordinates both refugee rights and the public interest for its own political gain. We produced this report in response to toxic media myths about…

Our latest report on the experiences of asylum seekers in hotel accommodation exposed systematic neglect and human rights violations. Reporting on our findings, the Observer describes how people fleeing persecution,…

Take a stand against extortionate visa fees

Editorials