Our response to the Government’s proposed asylum reforms
This is a difficult moment for us and it feels personal. Many of us have lived through the asylum system. Many of the people we support are waiting, hoping and trying to build a life in the middle of uncertainty.
The recent announcement touches the lives of people we know, work with and care about every day.
To those for whom this is not politics but daily life, our message is clear: you have every right to feel anger, sorrow, even despair. But let us be clear: no government policy defines who you are. You are not reducible to labels. You are our colleagues, friends, changemakers – people who are deeply valued at WERS. We are proud to stand with you, and we will support one another through this time, as we always have.
What has been set out appears to move towards a harsher, more conditional system – one that risks creating even more fear and instability for people who have already suffered so much. Policies that make daily life more difficult, or slow people’s ability to settle, work or rebuild, do not create cohesion or safety. They create harm. While we welcome the mention of safe routes – something we’ve long campaigned for, they must be real, accessible and available at scale – or they remain only promises on paper.
These announcements are not yet law. They are intentions and intentions can change. The scale of what has been proposed will require time, legislation and operational capacity — and some elements could take a year or more to implement. And in politics, a year is a lifetime. Some ideas may never materialise. Sadly, the shift in tone and language matters now. It shapes how people seeking sanctuary are spoken about, how they are treated, and how safe they feel in local communities.
Through all of this, our mission at WERS remains unwavering: we will continue to stand alongside refugees and people seeking asylum, guided by compassion, integrity and a belief in human dignity. We will continue supporting people to make positive changes in their lives and settle confidently in the UK. Progression is at the heart of WERS’ work and we remain committed to enabling it.
We will also continue our efforts to engage with decision-makers and the wider public to advocate for a system that centres safety, fairness and humanity. These values will not bend to the political moment; they are the foundation of who we are and who we will continue to be.
In solidarity
West End Refugee Service