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Helen Bamber Foundation Group’s response to the Immigration White Paper and hostile rhetoric from the UK government 

On 12th May, the government published its Immigration White Paper which contained a range of regressive measures, including those that would make it even harder for people living and working here to secure permanent settlement. In addition to recent changes to eligibility for citizenship, the government’s approach will further harm those trying to build a life in the UK. This includes the survivors we support who have experienced the worst humanity has to offer and now simply want safety and security.

The Prime Minister’s portrayal of migrants as “strangers” who threaten British values and talk of “taking back control of our borders” and ending a “squalid chapter” of rising immigration in his accompanying statement continues the scapegoating and vilification of refugees and migrants in this country that we have seen for many years. Such divisive and hostile rhetoric fuelled racist riots across the UK just last year, creating fear and distress amongst the survivors we support. 

After coming to power, the Labour government stated its commitment to human rights and the rule of law. But it has sought to retain or introduce new immigration legislation and policy that would further deny protection, safety and justice to survivors of abuse and exploitation. While we welcome the repeal of the Safety of Rwanda Act 2024 and of parts of the Illegal Migration Act 2023 in the new Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, much more is needed to ensure that the rights of the most marginalised and at risk are upheld. 

With the far right on the rise globally and the rise in discrimination and hate crimes, this needs to stop. We urgently need this government to move away from the demonising language of the past and towards defending everyone's fundamental human rights, with immigration and asylum systems that are fair, humane and respect our international obligations.   

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