Editorial: A points-based fiasco

Editorials

Editorial: A points-based fiasco

The details of the UK’s Points-Based System, published by the Government today, make for dismal reading. This is the system we feared all along – one that would see our communities become financially, socially and culturally poorer, and many of those eager to come and work in the UK and contribute to our society barred. Since it was first proposed, we wanted this scheme scrapped – and we still do. It’s claimed in the Introduction to today’s document – and in all of the marketing for this scheme – that it’s…

The details of the UK’s Points-Based System, published by the Government today, make for dismal reading. This is the system we feared all along – one that would see our communities…

Editorial: Lessons Learned?

The recent announcement that the government will accept all 30 of the recommendations from the Windrush Lessons Learned Review was a refreshing sign of a willingness to listen at the top. Never before has the Home Office committed to embark on a cultural reform programme of this scope on migration and race. This has the potential to be a big moment. The difficulties of implementing such wide-reaching reform cannot be underestimated - it will only be achieved with significant will and leadership. Can the Home Office rise to the challenge? The time has surely…

The recent announcement that the government will accept all 30 of the recommendations from the Windrush Lessons Learned Review was a refreshing sign of a willingness to listen at the top. Never before has…

Editorial: Status Now

The hostile environment is not working – for anyone. A new report by the National Audit Office criticises the Home Office on two counts – not knowing if its hostile policies are having the desired effect, and not knowing how many undocumented migrants are in the UK. If only the Home Office had asked us, we could have told them that this policy causes untold suffering to untold numbers of people on a daily basis and does little, if anything, to “encourage” undocumented people to leave the UK, as they hoped it…

The hostile environment is not working – for anyone. A new report by the National Audit Office criticises the Home Office on two counts – not knowing if its hostile policies are…

Editorial: Pride in standing together

The arrival of June marks Pride month. Ever since the Stonewall uprisings of June 1969, this has been a chance for LGBTQ+ communities around the world to celebrate. Although many of these celebrations are virtual this year, their message of diversity, equality and freedom of expression is no less vital. LGBTQ+ rights are human rights. Migrant Voice stands with the LGBTQ+ community. Ensuring safety and dignity for all people, regardless of their gender identity, sexual orientation or immigration status, must continue to be a priority for governments and communities across the…

The arrival of June marks Pride month. Ever since the Stonewall uprisings of June 1969, this has been a chance for LGBTQ+ communities around the world to celebrate. Although many of…

Editorial: End this double taxation

Migrant NHS workers will no longer have to pay an extortionate surcharge to use the healthcare system that they help to sustain. Last week's U-turn by the government on this was both welcome and unexpected. But it doesn't go far enough. Just like Brits, migrants contribute to the NHS through taxes. Demanding £400 extra per year - rising to £624 from October - is a form of double taxation. It also adds to the extortionate cost of visas themselves, which are crippling for many. Because of these costs, teachers, bus…

Migrant NHS workers will no longer have to pay an extortionate surcharge to use the healthcare system that they help to sustain. Last week's U-turn by the government on this…

Editorial: 'Troubling' - visa fees during Covid-19

Shantel works in a care home in Birmingham. On top of the unimaginable stress of the last few weeks, she has had to apply to renew her visa, which, at the time of writing, expires in two days. She can’t afford the extortionate fee, so she applied for a fee waiver more than a month ago, but she’s still waiting to hear if that’s been granted. If it’s rejected, she will have to find around £2,100 in the next 48 hours. This pandemic has undoubtedly left many people feeling vulnerable…

Shantel works in a care home in Birmingham. On top of the unimaginable stress of the last few weeks, she has had to apply to renew her visa, which, at…

Editorial: Act now, save lives

Six weeks ago, we called on the Government to make eight simple changes that would make it possible for all migrants to keep themselves and others safe from Covid-19. Only one has been made (ending in-person tribunal hearings), with tinkering around the edges on some others. This lack of decisive action has left unknown numbers of migrants around the UK struggling to feed themselves and their families, living in unsafe, insecure accommodation, too scared to access healthcare, and fearful for their futures. Some could even lose their lives, dying at home from…

Six weeks ago, we called on the Government to make eight simple changes that would make it possible for all migrants to keep themselves and others safe from Covid-19. Only one has…

Editorial: All talk, no action

It’s been refreshing to hear so much praise for some groups of migrant workers during these first weeks of the Covid-19 lockdown. But amongst the platitudes, the Government has wasted no time in pushing ahead with its plan for a crude and discriminatory points-based immigration system that, if already in force, would have prevented many of those migrants from coming here and doing these frontline jobs. Yes, it was remarkable to hear Piers Morgan – usually one of the UK’s most combative voices on immigration issues – reading a roll…

It’s been refreshing to hear so much praise for some groups of migrant workers during these first weeks of the Covid-19 lockdown. But amongst the platitudes, the Government has wasted…

Editorial: A time to be bold

With Covid-19, the threat to the rights of migrants and refugees around the world is growing. Conflict and persecution do not stop during a pandemic and people still need to flee their homes to find safety. But travelling is even more difficult and dangerous than usual, and the path to refuge criss-crossed with shuttered borders. We’ve also seen some countries such as Lebanon use the pandemic as an excuse to crack down on refugees in their countries. Meanwhile, migrants around the world are finding themselves trapped in their new home with visas expiring,…

With Covid-19, the threat to the rights of migrants and refugees around the world is growing. Conflict and persecution do not stop during a pandemic and people still need to…

Editorial: Help migrants protect themselves

As Covid-19 continues to spread, urgent policy changes are required to make sure that everyone in the UK – including every migrant – is able to protect themselves and others. The Home Office is already making changes – suspending face-to-face asylum interviews and reporting requirements, and making treatment for Covid-19 non-chargeable, for example – but these must go much further and much faster. The Emergency Powers Bill currently going through Parliament will give the Government significant new powers in light of the pandemic, including allowing for police and immigration officers…

As Covid-19 continues to spread, urgent policy changes are required to make sure that everyone in the UK – including every migrant – is able to protect themselves and others.…

Editorial: A points-based fiasco

Editorials