Statement on migration policy announcements by the UK Government Home Secretary November 2025
The announcement by the Home Secretary on proposed changes to the asylum system in the UK is inflammatory, hostile and cruel.
It is outrageous to refer to proposals which manufacture fear and division as a ‘moral mission’ when they dehumanise those who are seeking protection in the UK.
There is much that is wrong, both morally and practically with the proposals. In particular, subjecting individuals to a review of their refugee status every 30 months for a period of 20 years puts people in a state of perpetual limbo meaning they can’t heal or build new lives as UK citizens – and it erodes the cohesive society we seek to create
The principles on which the reforms are based are chilling. The Home Secretary refers to the anger that some people in the UK feel and directs it towards people seeking asylum. The Government has not addressed the underlying social failures which provoke this anger whilst scapegoating asylum seekers who have neither power nor influence. Solace rejects the premise that our communities are “torn apart” by migration.
Our vision is for welcoming communities where refugees feel they belong, and along with their neighbours, have hope for their future. The difficulties in the asylum system are created by slow and poor decision making which disempowers people and keeps them in a state of dependency for years. Nobody wants this yet this fundamental issue is not addressed in the announcements about reforms to the system.
We need reforms that facilitate participation and inclusion in communities: ones which prioritise accurate decision making so people can move through the system quickly and efficiently and move into jobs or training and play a full role in society.
We absolutely reject the suggestion that refugees should be seen as outsiders and the discourse which erodes the development of trust between people. Instead, we need to hear people in power talking about the value of helping people to feel welcome and included, expressed in language which highlights the long term benefits of strong connected communities.
Solace is concerned that the announcements made yesterday do the opposite of this. Instead they fuel division by deliberately singling out a group of people to blame for wider systemic problems and make it harder for people to build trust and come together.
We want the Government to reconsider the approach they are taking. Abandon the plans to weaken protection to those seeking safety, develop positive proposals which strengthen communities and reduce division and enable refugees to play a full role in society free from fear.