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Asylum Matters

@asylummatters.bsky.social
6K followers 184 following 745 posts

Campaigning collaboratively, locally and nationally, to transform asylum in the UK.

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Asylum Matters @asylummatters.bsky.social · 1h
Charities have so much expertise and wisdom to share - and they want to share it! A Government that wants to be guided by expertise should be working with the charity sector, not against it. Proud to be part of this call to Andy Burnham's new Government to work with us to build a better Britain.
thirdsector.co.uk
Government must treat civil society as a ‘critical friend’, Prime Minister urged
Andy Burnham’s government needs to draw on civil society’s expertise and experience, charities say
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Women for Refugee Women @4refugeewomen.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
🖊️ “The campaigners amongst us – often raising flags about the risk of serious individual or societal harms – are used to warm words but slow action from Whitehall.” We're proud to join 50 organisations calling on the Government to draw on civil society's expertise and experience.
thirdsector.co.uk
Government must treat civil society as a ‘critical friend’, Prime Minister urged
Andy Burnham’s government needs to draw on civil society’s expertise and experience, charities say
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Work Rights Centre @workrights.bsky.social · 18h
The Labour Party Conference this year was different. The message of ‘hope again’ was beaming from every screen. But, there was one glaring omission: migrant care workers. Read our CEO's analysis 👇 www.workrightscentre.org/publications...
workrightscentre.org
Labour Party Conference 2026: Andy Burnham has noble ambition for care but it must include migrant care workers | Work Rights Centre
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Asylum Matters @asylummatters.bsky.social · 18h
MPs still have the chance to stop dangerous earned settlement plans before they happen. We've joined amazing partners in highlighting the very real harm these proposals could do - download the briefing here: asylummatters.org/2026/09/30/n...
asylummatters.org
New briefing: MPs urged to act on 'Earned Settlement' - Asylum Matters
MP briefing on earned settlement from asylum charities highlights impact on child poverty, family security, equalities & social cohesion
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Asylum Matters @asylummatters.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Every death in our Channel could be prevented. The three people who died trying to reach safety yesterday were betrayed by politicians, who've chosen to ignore the evidence and prioritise deadly hostility over saving lives. But this tragedy doesn't have to be repeated. Safe routes save lives.
Headline reads "Three more people killed by our borders. One of them was a child." over a choppy sea background, with a "Fight for Asylum Rights" badge and a Sky News caption reporting two women and a child died crossing the English Channel.
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Women for Refugee Women @4refugeewomen.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Two women and a 10 year old child have lost their lives in the Channel. These deaths are a tragedy and our thoughts are with their loved ones and all those on the boat. Safe, accessible routes, NOW. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Three people dead, including a child, in attempt to cross Channel to UK
Official says deaths – and dozens of injuries – were probably caused by crushing on boat carrying 105 people
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Asylum Matters @asylummatters.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
It's worth celebrating any time a refugee makes it to safety. But reopening a route that this Government closed, with even more restrictions and 'small, capped' numbers will do almost nothing to address the numbers of people fleeing war & persecution forced to risk dangerous routes.
theguardian.com
UK to open new refugee resettlement routes for Afghan women and Palestinians
Exclusive: Move by Shabana Mahmood comes after closure of Afghan scheme last year but experts say numbers too small to deter Channel crossings
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Asylum Matters @asylummatters.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
What this headline doesn't make obvious is that the reason police are concerned is the cost of policing the extremists who gather to harass and threaten people forced to live in asylum camps. Yet another reason why all people seeking sanctuary should be able to live in communities, not camps.
bbc.co.uk
Police resources warning over Linton-on-Ouse asylum centre plan
The Home Office is considering using RAF Linton-on-Ouse to house asylum seekers.
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Women for Refugee Women @4refugeewomen.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Today is Bisexual Visibility Day 🩷💜💙 A day to lift up, recognise and celebrate bisexual people all around the world. Today, we celebrate our bi Rainbow Sisters, such as Olubunmi, who shared: 🗣️"I'm celebrating that my bisexuality taught me empathy and that love doesn't fit in one box." 1/🧵
refugeewomen.co.uk
Women for Refugee Women - Celebrating Pride Month: ‘Still Here, Still Bi – From Nigeria to the UK' By Olubunmi
To celebrate Pride month 2026, one of our Rainbow Sisters has shared her experience of being bisexual and seeking safety in the UK.
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Helen Bamber Foundation 🧡 @helenbamber.org · 23/09/2026
These are mums, dads and children. Families just like ours. They deserve the chance to live with dignity, stability and hope. Our clients speak to @thetimes.com about the realities of life for families living in asylum hotels. 🗞️ Read here: www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
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Asylum Matters @asylummatters.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
The UK asylum system puts children in danger. For all the constant talk about asylum in our media, here's a headline that didn't get anywhere enough attention. Share if you think we should be focusing on the real problems in our broken asylum system.
Graph shows hundreds of children go missing in the asylum system and not all are found.
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Asylum Matters @asylummatters.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Proud to contribute to this report, highlighting the extreme poverty that our asylum policy traps people seeking sanctuary in. The ban on work and poverty-packet asylum support rates bake in poverty by design: it's an urgent human rights issue that must be addressed.
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rainbowmigration.bsky.social @rainbowmigration.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
⚠️Immigration detention is not safe for anyone, but #LGBTQI+ people are at even higher risk of harm from LGBTQI-phobic abuse and bullying. 📢Join us in calling on this government to end LGBTQI+ detention today: buff.ly/TxgALru
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Asylum Matters @asylummatters.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Of course this is utterly sickening. But it doesn't come from nowhere. That any politicians feel able to gamify people's lives and deaths can only come from years of dehumanising people seeking sanctuary by politicians of all stripes. And it's every politician's responsibility to combat that.
mirror.co.uk
Reform hits 'sickening new low' as it launches stop the boats mobile game
Reform UK has been criticised after launching a mobile phone game, named Small Boats Scramble, which sees users pretend to control Royal Navy vessels stopping boats crossing the Channel
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Asylum Matters @asylummatters.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Far right extremism costs lives. These people are trying to hold the UK hostage to their racism. And it's not just the RNLI: we're hearing from all kinds of charities whose vital helping work is being threatened by the sort of people who would rather let a human being drown than welcome a newcomer.
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Women for Refugee Women @4refugeewomen.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
This weaponisation harms us all. It: 👉Scapegoats men seeking asylum 👉Distorts the reality of violence against women and girls 👉Impedes access to justice for surviors, and 👉Fuels suspicion, prejudice and division in our communities. This is #NotInOurName. 2/4
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Women for Refugee Women @4refugeewomen.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Some news reports on Piddington village's 'referendum' to leave the UK due to plans to house people seeking asylum nearby are: ❌Dangerously weaponising violence against women and girls ❌Dehumanising people seeking asylum ❌Feeding the misleading rhetoric that men seeking asylum are dangerous 1/4
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Asylum Matters @asylummatters.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
We don't want to talk about a meaningless gesture of hostility. We do want to talk about the very real harm that privately-run, profit-driven camps do to people seeking sanctuary. Everyone needs a home in a community, not a camp.
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Women for Refugee Women @4refugeewomen.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
The Immigration and Asylum Bill is back in parliament, with MPs hearing evidence on the impact of the Bill. We know it will have a disproportionately harmful impact on women seeking safety here. Here’s what happened and our concerns 👇 www.refugeewomen.co.uk/immigration-... 1/🧵
refugeewomen.co.uk
Women for Refugee Women - Our response to the Immigration and Asylum Bill announced on 30 June 2026
We are deeply concerned by the Immigration and Asylum Bill announced on 30 June 2026 by the Home Secretary.
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Lizzie Dearden @lizziedearden.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
While Piddington dominates the news, at Leicester Crown Court this man was sentenced today Ivan Jennings, a former Conservative councillor, called for terror attacks on small boat migrants and Muslims and shared target ideas, telling fellow white supremacists to kill as many “subhumans” as possible
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Women for Refugee Women @4refugeewomen.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
🚨 Reform have released a mobile ‘game’ where players can ‘stop the boats reaching the UK’. Sickening. Every year people lose their lives crossing the Channel in the search of safety. People are forced to make dangerous journeys to save their lives. This is not a game. It’s reality. 1/2
mirror.co.uk
Reform hits 'sickening new low' as it launches stop the boats mobile game
Reform UK has been criticised after launching a mobile phone game, named Small Boats Scramble, which sees users pretend to control Royal Navy vessels stopping boats crossing the Channel
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Women for Refugee Women @4refugeewomen.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Women seeking safety in the UK often experience sexual and gender-based violence in their countries of origin, on their journeys to safety, and again in the UK. Yet the latter is often overlooked, with women left with little support to seek justice, to heal, and to recover. 1/🧵
theguardian.com
Female asylum seekers report being sexually assaulted by British men
Women say they are wary of pursuing criminal prosecution of rapes, for fear of having their asylum claims refused
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Asylum Matters @asylummatters.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Fairer asylum policy is suicide prevention. This week, the world marked Suicide Prevention Day. But for refugees and people seeking sanctuary, efforts to prevent suicide are impeded by harmful policy and a complete lack of data. If we want to prevent deaths, that has to change.
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Asylum Matters @asylummatters.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Our friends at Refugee Action are delivering a housewarming card to the Prime Minister, reminding him of what welcome means. They're about to hand it in, so add your name to make sure he's hearing from thousands of voters: act.refugee-action.org.uk/page/195459/...
act.refugee-action.org.uk
Sign our card to Andy Burnham
“As you build your life in No 10, will you help us - people seeking safety - rebuild our lives in Britain?”
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Women for Refugee Women @4refugeewomen.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
🚨Racial violence is escalating. Racist violence, intimidation and hatred is becoming a weekly occurence. Yet the Government response remains woefully inadequate. This is not in our name. It is time for urgent action. Read more below. Thank you @amnestyuk.bsky.social for coordinating. 1/3
amnesty.org.uk
Statement on the escalation in racist violence
Amnesty International UK are raising the alarm on the horrifying escalation in racist violence and intimidation, and we are calling on the UK government to act immediately.
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Asylum Matters @asylummatters.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
We might be stating the obvious here but: if you're attacking the volunteers who heroically rescue people stranded at sea, you're definitely not one of the good guys.
bbc.co.uk
Abuse of RNLI volunteers 'wholly unacceptable', chief says
Peter Sparkes says there has been "deliberate misinformation" spread about the charity.
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Minnie Rahman @minnierahman.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Given what has happened to the RNLI, this is when wider civil society should speak in solidarity about the far-right and political parties attacking charities delivering vital services for vulnerable people. The voluntary sector is part of our social fabric, it needs protecting.
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Asylum Matters @asylummatters.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
The masked anti-migrant groups spreading terror on our streets this weekend didn't come from nowhere. For years, politicians across parties and in parts of our media have chosen to spread fear, hatred and hostility towards people seeking sanctuary.
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Asylum Matters @asylummatters.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
People who come to the UK seeking safety are dying under Home Office "care". Yet our Government doesn't even record their deaths. No one's death should go ignored. We need to know their names, track how & why they died, and prevent future tragedies.
Text on a background of lilies says "at least 51 people died in UK asylum accommodation in 2024. Only 8 of them are known to have died of natural causes.
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Asylum Matters @asylummatters.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
This is what banning people from work means. Skilled, talented people with so much to share feeling like they've lost a part of themselves. It's time to lift the ban, and let people work.
Quote reads: “I have the skills and experience to contribute to society, but I cannot use them. It makes me feel empty and worthless at times, like I’ve lost a part of myself. 
I’ve been doing everything I can to stay positive... I want to be ready to work as soon as I can.”

- Rania, Masters’ degree in pedagogy
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Asylum Matters @asylummatters.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
'Stopping the boats' isn't working. And unless we listen to experts it never will. Andy Burnham needs to learn from his predecessor's failures, and do the only thing that will actually end dangerous journeys: build safe routes. ✍️ @humansforrights.bsky.social & @projectplayfrance.bsky.social
Headline from the observer reads "the Government's stop the boats strategy is failing - and costing lives
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Asylum Matters @asylummatters.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Life in asylum hotels means living without any choice of what to eat or when to eat. It means unhealthy, often unsafe food. It means children getting sick because of what they're eating. This report shows why no one should have to live like this: www.sufra-nwlondon.org.uk/news-story/n...
sufra-nwlondon.org.uk
New Research: The Hidden Health Crisis in Asylum Hotels - Sufra NW London
Sufra NW London
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Asylum Matters @asylummatters.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
You might have seen figures released by the Government today, showing fewer people asking for sanctuary in the UK. But we don't need fewer refugees: we need to help people who need protection rebuild their lives and start living independently and in safety more quickly.
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Southall Black Sisters (SBS) @sbsisters.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Our joint statement on the Home Office's guide for asylum seekers on 'Understanding behaviours and expectations in the UK' 👇🏾 @evawuk.bsky.social @imkaanuk.bsky.social @4refugeewomen.bsky.social @lawrsuk.bsky.social @asylummatters.bsky.social
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Asylum Matters @asylummatters.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Violence against women and girls is must be stopped. Ignoring the evidence of experts and scapegoating people seeking sanctuary won't do that. Read the full statement, backed by 70+ expert organisations, here: asylummatters.org/2026/08/24/r...
asylummatters.org
Rights groups condemn divisive and racist 'behaviours guide' - Asylum Matters
On 19th of August, the government launched the guide “Understanding behaviours and expectations in the UK: a guide for asylum seekers”. This guide will do nothing to support, inform or...Continue…
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Asylum Matters @asylummatters.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
We've fixed this one for the BBC. People's lives are at risk, and the French police certainly aren't "effective" at stopping that. But you know what would be? Safe. Routes. No one crosses the world's busiest shipping lane in a dinghy unless they have no other choice. So let's give them one.
Corrected BBC news headline. Original read "French police becoming more effective in stopping small boat crossings". More effective is replaced with "more violent, more dangerous, more deadly" and "stopping small boat crossings" is replaced with "making boats more overcrowded, slashing boats in the water, putting lives at risk, making exploiters change tactics"
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Women for Refugee Women @4refugeewomen.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Yesterday, the Government released guidance on how people seeking asylum in the UK should behave. The Guide: ❌Reinforces anti-migrant rhetoric ❌Distorts the reality of violence against women and girls ❌Distracts from its root causes ❌Impedes access to support and justice for survivors 1/2
refugeewomen.co.uk
Women for Refugee Women - Women for Refugee Women’s statement on the Home Office's "Understanding behaviours and expectations in the UK" guide
Our statement on the harmful "Understanding behaviours and expectations in the UK" guide released by the Home Office on 19 August 2026.
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Asylum Matters @asylummatters.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
An asylum system that doesn't ruin lives or waste taxpayers' money? Politicians who follow the evidence, instead of stoking anti-migrant sentiment in the hope of political gain? It doesn't sound like too much to ask for to us. Here's how we get there: www.iwa.wales/agenda/2026/...
iwa.wales
The ‘blueprint’ for an asylum system that works - Institute of Welsh Affairs
Nathan Phillips argues that having a humane approach to refugees benefits everyone.
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Asylum Matters @asylummatters.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
You may have seen headlines today about the Home Office singling out people seeking sanctuary for warnings not to sexually assault people. It’s everyone’s responsibility to prevent violence against women and girls, which is endemic in all communities, throughout the UK. This won't do that.
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Nathan Phillips @nbphillips1872.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
📣🗣️ "Politicians on both side of the border... can choose a different path, one that doesn’t waste millions of pounds on policies that have only fanned the flames of division (in some cases, literally)." Me for @iwa-wales.bsky.social's The Welsh Agenda 👇 www.iwa.wales/agenda/2026/...
iwa.wales
The ‘blueprint’ for an asylum system that works - Institute of Welsh Affairs
Nathan Phillips argues that having a humane approach to refugees benefits everyone.
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Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit (GMIAU) @gmiau.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Six months have passed since the public consultation into "earned settlement", and people who may be affected have endured well over a year of waiting in fear and anxiety. It has become clearer than ever that there is no justification for this policy and the harm it will do to our communities.
New briefing on "Earned Settlement"
What happened to the consultation?

What is going to happen next?

What will the impact be on our communities?
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Asylum Matters @asylummatters.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Sick of hearing politicians paint people seeking sanctuary as a problem? Send your MP our blueprint for a working asylum system now. Let's show them how listening to the evidence & building in welcome from day one would work better for all of us: fightforasylumrights.org/give-the-new...
Blue infographic listing key asylum reforms—open safe routes; lift the ban on work; end "earned settlement"; house refugees in communities not camps; scrap the Asylum and Immigration Bill. It ends with a banner reading "Base asylum policy on evidence not cruelty."
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Asylum Matters @asylummatters.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Congratulations to everyone celebrating A Level results day - especially to the teenage refugees across the country who have been collecting their grades. It's a good day to remember the brilliant things that happen when people are allowed to rebuild their lives 🧡 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
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HOPE not hate @hopenothate.org.uk · 14/08/2026
👀Tommy Robinson’s right hand man Danny ‘Tommo’ Thomas says his new anti-migrant vigilante group exists to protect women and children. So obviously we know what comes next: several of the men he personally “handpicked” have criminal convictions, including for violence against women.
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Asylum Matters @asylummatters.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
This has to stop. stopborderviolence.co.uk
Text on graphic reads "independent monitoring board finds the 'one-in-one-out' scheme locked up vulnerable children, ripped families apart, imprisoned torture survivors, held people in detention for 6+ months
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Voices in Exile @voicesinexile.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
✍️ 🚨 Alongside 50 other organisations, Voices have written to Andy Burnham to tell him he already has the answers to housing all people in need: -More public housing -More local power -Less profiteering Read the full letter 🔗 www.refugee-action.org.uk/asylum-housi... #AsylumHousingAlliance
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Asylum Matters @asylummatters.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
The solutions to the housing crisis are clear: and they're the same for everyone. We've joined 50 refugee orgs in telling Andy Burnham it's time to do what's needed to get everyone housed safely - including people seeking sanctuary. Read about what he could do here:👇 inews.co.uk/news/council...
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Women for Refugee Women @4refugeewomen.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
🏠 Everyone needs somewhere safe to call home. But the current asylum accommodation system is poor quality, unsafe, and sometimes even dangerous. We’re proud to join 50+ organisations urging the Prime Minister and to deliver safe housing for all.
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Detention Forum @detentionforum.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
STOP BORDER VIOLENCE: new campaign from @humansforrights.bsky.social, @projectplayfrance.bsky.social + @asylummatters.bsky.social calls for an inquiry into how UK funding at the border in northern France - £1.4bn since 2014 –has contributed to increasing state violence and fatalities.
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Asylum Matters @asylummatters.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Asylum accommodation isn't working. But if Andy Burnham keeps his word on housing for everyone, he can build a system that works better for all of us - and keeps public money out of the hands of profit-hungry private providers.
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