Birmingham Schools of Sanctuary
@brumschofsanctuary.bsky.social
Congratulations to Holy Family Primary School on their SECOND Sanctuary Award. What a lot of great work is going on at this school - congratulations to everybody!
@cityofsanctuaryuk.bsky.social @stbernsprimary.bsky.social @sabb28.bsky.social
@cityofsanctuaryuk.bsky.social @stbernsprimary.bsky.social @sabb28.bsky.social
November 24, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Congratulations to Holy Family Primary School on their SECOND Sanctuary Award. What a lot of great work is going on at this school - congratulations to everybody!
@cityofsanctuaryuk.bsky.social @stbernsprimary.bsky.social @sabb28.bsky.social
@cityofsanctuaryuk.bsky.social @stbernsprimary.bsky.social @sabb28.bsky.social
Congratulations to St Columba's RC Primary School in Longbridge on their SECOND Sanctuary Award. Great kids, great staff, great work. What a pleasure it was to visit.
November 20, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Congratulations to St Columba's RC Primary School in Longbridge on their SECOND Sanctuary Award. Great kids, great staff, great work. What a pleasure it was to visit.
Reposted by Birmingham Schools of Sanctuary
Jenrick now fully embracing AfD-style “remigration“
(“Reversing recent low-skilled migration will likely mean a sustained period of net emigration. I would support that.”)
(“Reversing recent low-skilled migration will likely mean a sustained period of net emigration. I would support that.”)
Robert Jenrick says UK asylum seekers should be held in ‘rudimentary prisons’
Shadow justice minister, seen as nurturing Tory leadership hopes, criticises Reform’s immigration plans as too weak
www.theguardian.com
September 4, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Jenrick now fully embracing AfD-style “remigration“
(“Reversing recent low-skilled migration will likely mean a sustained period of net emigration. I would support that.”)
(“Reversing recent low-skilled migration will likely mean a sustained period of net emigration. I would support that.”)
Reposted by Birmingham Schools of Sanctuary
After years of advocating for family reunification, today Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has suspended all family reunification applications.
As she has pointed out many times before, this announcement will drive more people into the arms of smugglers.
www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
As she has pointed out many times before, this announcement will drive more people into the arms of smugglers.
www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
Home secretary suspends refugee family reunion applications until new, tighter rules are put in place – UK politics live
Yvette Cooper says rules were designed years ago to help families separated by war but are being used in a different way now
www.theguardian.com
September 1, 2025 at 4:29 PM
After years of advocating for family reunification, today Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has suspended all family reunification applications.
As she has pointed out many times before, this announcement will drive more people into the arms of smugglers.
www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
As she has pointed out many times before, this announcement will drive more people into the arms of smugglers.
www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
After some horrid things happening over the summer holidays (inflammatory misinformation campaign against our Schools of Sanctuary), we're looking forward to celebrating the work of all our wonderful and steadfast schools during this term!
August 29, 2025 at 4:55 PM
After some horrid things happening over the summer holidays (inflammatory misinformation campaign against our Schools of Sanctuary), we're looking forward to celebrating the work of all our wonderful and steadfast schools during this term!
Reposted by Birmingham Schools of Sanctuary
While much of our media focuses on how many people claim asylum in the UK, there's one number that isn't even counted:
The number of people who die while trying to seek sanctuary here.
We know our asylum is killing people. Their deaths must not be ignored.
#KnowTheirNames
The number of people who die while trying to seek sanctuary here.
We know our asylum is killing people. Their deaths must not be ignored.
#KnowTheirNames
August 28, 2025 at 11:01 AM
While much of our media focuses on how many people claim asylum in the UK, there's one number that isn't even counted:
The number of people who die while trying to seek sanctuary here.
We know our asylum is killing people. Their deaths must not be ignored.
#KnowTheirNames
The number of people who die while trying to seek sanctuary here.
We know our asylum is killing people. Their deaths must not be ignored.
#KnowTheirNames
Reposted by Birmingham Schools of Sanctuary
Every one of these protests is a terrifying experience for the asylum seekers - the wider atmosphere in the country is horrible & Labour’s reaction craven. But it’s worth remembering how much of this is generated by politicians & media openly desperate for broad unrest which simply isn’t happening
Times: "Asylum protests swell across the UK " headline, reporting an underwhelming wave.
Leeds "draws 70"
Cardiff "disorganised + small"
Altrincham "*swelled* to around 200"
Cheshunt about 250
Chichester: about 100
Portsmouth: about 70 v 70 on each side
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Leeds "draws 70"
Cardiff "disorganised + small"
Altrincham "*swelled* to around 200"
Cheshunt about 250
Chichester: about 100
Portsmouth: about 70 v 70 on each side
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
August 23, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Every one of these protests is a terrifying experience for the asylum seekers - the wider atmosphere in the country is horrible & Labour’s reaction craven. But it’s worth remembering how much of this is generated by politicians & media openly desperate for broad unrest which simply isn’t happening
We had a great visit to St Bernadette's primary today and they are now our NEWEST AWARDED SCHOOL OF SANCTUARY in Birmingham! @stbernsprimary.bsky.social
Congratulations!
Congratulations!
July 15, 2025 at 3:34 PM
We had a great visit to St Bernadette's primary today and they are now our NEWEST AWARDED SCHOOL OF SANCTUARY in Birmingham! @stbernsprimary.bsky.social
Congratulations!
Congratulations!
Reposted by Birmingham Schools of Sanctuary
New from FM: Processing of Syrian asylum claims to resume | Sonia Lenegan
Processing of Syrian asylum claims to resume - Free Movement
Following a statement made by the Minister for Border Security and Asylum earlier today, the Home Office is to resume processing of Syrian protection claims
freemovement.org.uk
July 14, 2025 at 12:57 PM
New from FM: Processing of Syrian asylum claims to resume | Sonia Lenegan
Reposted by Birmingham Schools of Sanctuary
The number of outstanding asylum appeals is now two-thirds the level of the asylum initial decision backlog - more than 50k asylum appeals were pending at the end of March. That's nearly doubled in a year from 27k, and a 579% increase in the last two years. www.gov.uk/government/s...
Tribunals statistics quarterly: January to March 2025
Type and volume of tribunals cases received, disposed of or outstanding. This also includes statistics on the Gender Recognition Certificate applied for and granted by HMCTS Gender Recognition Panel
www.gov.uk
June 12, 2025 at 8:47 AM
The number of outstanding asylum appeals is now two-thirds the level of the asylum initial decision backlog - more than 50k asylum appeals were pending at the end of March. That's nearly doubled in a year from 27k, and a 579% increase in the last two years. www.gov.uk/government/s...
Reposted by Birmingham Schools of Sanctuary
From yesterday: Yemeni national refused humanitarian protection because he can return to China | Sonia Lenegan
Yemeni national refused humanitarian protection because he can return to China - Free Movement
An appellant who is a Yemeni national who has lived in China since he was one year old ahs lost his appeal against the refusal of humanitarian protection on
freemovement.org.uk
June 12, 2025 at 9:31 AM
From yesterday: Yemeni national refused humanitarian protection because he can return to China | Sonia Lenegan
Reposted by Birmingham Schools of Sanctuary
Thank you to @jakerichardsmp.bsky.social who sits on the Home Affairs Select Committee for raising the vital issue of refugee children being wrongly placed in adult asylum hotels. Many refugee children we and @helenbamber.bsky.social. @humansforrights.bsky.social work with are wrongly judged adult.
June 4, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Thank you to @jakerichardsmp.bsky.social who sits on the Home Affairs Select Committee for raising the vital issue of refugee children being wrongly placed in adult asylum hotels. Many refugee children we and @helenbamber.bsky.social. @humansforrights.bsky.social work with are wrongly judged adult.
Reposted by Birmingham Schools of Sanctuary
Pointing the finger at people seeking safety only divides us at a time when we need to come together.
Refugees & torture survivors need safe and dignified housing within our communities.
No matter who you are, or where you come from, we should ALL have the right to safe housing.
Refugees & torture survivors need safe and dignified housing within our communities.
No matter who you are, or where you come from, we should ALL have the right to safe housing.
May 2, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Pointing the finger at people seeking safety only divides us at a time when we need to come together.
Refugees & torture survivors need safe and dignified housing within our communities.
No matter who you are, or where you come from, we should ALL have the right to safe housing.
Refugees & torture survivors need safe and dignified housing within our communities.
No matter who you are, or where you come from, we should ALL have the right to safe housing.
Reposted by Birmingham Schools of Sanctuary
A nice question here from @timfarron.bsky.social, which has got the Home Office admitting that the potentially significant changes they are envisaging to family life claims in the immigration context are being planned without the slightest inkling of how many people are affected
A question on #Immigration #HumanRights tabled by Tim Farron on 01-04-2025 has been answered by Seema Malhotra. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-04-01/43030
April 9, 2025 at 4:58 PM
A nice question here from @timfarron.bsky.social, which has got the Home Office admitting that the potentially significant changes they are envisaging to family life claims in the immigration context are being planned without the slightest inkling of how many people are affected
Pleased to report that Birmingham Schools of Sanctuary and Birmingham City of Sanctuary are signatories to this letter to the Prime Minister, which was given exclusive coverage in today's Guardian.
togetherwithrefugees.org.uk/press-releas...
togetherwithrefugees.org.uk/press-releas...
Press release: Refugee charities call for an end to 'hostile politics' in open letter to PM - Together With Refugees
Today more than 100 refugee charities have signed an open letter to the Prime Minister calling for united communities and an end to ‘hostile politics, racist rhetoric and demonising language of the pa...
togetherwithrefugees.org.uk
April 7, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Pleased to report that Birmingham Schools of Sanctuary and Birmingham City of Sanctuary are signatories to this letter to the Prime Minister, which was given exclusive coverage in today's Guardian.
togetherwithrefugees.org.uk/press-releas...
togetherwithrefugees.org.uk/press-releas...
Reposted by Birmingham Schools of Sanctuary
More scapegoating of people seeking sanctuary. More failed, expensive border security measures. Still no talk of the only way to actually stop people smuggling: safe routes to get people to safety.
Isn't it about time to change the record?
Isn't it about time to change the record?
Starmer ‘angry’ over illegal migration as he reveals 24,000 deportations under Labour
PM appealed to voters frustrated at the ongoing flow of migrants across the English Channel, saying he shares their ‘anger’ at illegal migration
www.independent.co.uk
March 31, 2025 at 3:44 PM
More scapegoating of people seeking sanctuary. More failed, expensive border security measures. Still no talk of the only way to actually stop people smuggling: safe routes to get people to safety.
Isn't it about time to change the record?
Isn't it about time to change the record?
Reposted by Birmingham Schools of Sanctuary
So we're going from paying millions to the private firm that oversaw appalling conditions in Napier Barracks to paying millions to the private firm that oversaw appalling conditions on Bibby Stockholm?
It's time to stop letting these companies profit from people's suffering.
#CommunitiesNotCamps
It's time to stop letting these companies profit from people's suffering.
#CommunitiesNotCamps
Home Office axes asylum hotel contract and hands it to Bibby Stockholm firm
Stay Belvedere Hotels, which manages 51 hotels and Napier barracks, is removed amid performance concerns
buff.ly
March 27, 2025 at 4:44 PM
So we're going from paying millions to the private firm that oversaw appalling conditions in Napier Barracks to paying millions to the private firm that oversaw appalling conditions on Bibby Stockholm?
It's time to stop letting these companies profit from people's suffering.
#CommunitiesNotCamps
It's time to stop letting these companies profit from people's suffering.
#CommunitiesNotCamps
Reposted by Birmingham Schools of Sanctuary
The government’s own analysis of their social security cuts estimates that a further 250,000 people will be in poverty by 2030, including 50,000 children.
Reeves ‘absolutely certain’ welfare cuts will not push people into poverty
The Chancellor denied there will be further tax rises or spending cuts at the autumn budget in order to balance the books.
www.independent.co.uk
March 27, 2025 at 6:21 PM
The government’s own analysis of their social security cuts estimates that a further 250,000 people will be in poverty by 2030, including 50,000 children.
Reposted by Birmingham Schools of Sanctuary
Too often migrants are excluded from justice. During our conference at the end of February we looked at exactly this, including the Windrush and TOEIC scandals, where tens of thousands of international students were unjustly stripped of their right to study.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Windrush victims could have compensation reconsidered after ruling
Denial of compensation for Raymond Lee, denied re-entry to UK in after 1999 trip to Jamaica, deemed ‘legal error’ by judge
www.theguardian.com
March 26, 2025 at 6:52 AM
Too often migrants are excluded from justice. During our conference at the end of February we looked at exactly this, including the Windrush and TOEIC scandals, where tens of thousands of international students were unjustly stripped of their right to study.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Birmingham Schools of Sanctuary
PS A source for my comment about the Blair government considering off-shoring asylum claims - and for the Starmer-led party doing the same more recently. (If this is just media speculation it seems awfully bad luck that they keep speculating about the same thing.)
Labour reportedly considering offshoring asylum seekers’ claims
Keir Starmer mulling ‘detailed plans’ to outsource process overseas as alternative to Rwanda plan
www.theguardian.com
March 24, 2025 at 3:34 PM
PS A source for my comment about the Blair government considering off-shoring asylum claims - and for the Starmer-led party doing the same more recently. (If this is just media speculation it seems awfully bad luck that they keep speculating about the same thing.)
Reposted by Birmingham Schools of Sanctuary
From yesterday: Increases to most Home Office fees from 9 April 2025 | Sonia Lenegan
Increases to most Home Office fees from 9 April 2025 - Free Movement
The government announced increases to some Home Office fees, including for electronic travel authorisation, skilled worker and naturalisation applications,
freemovement.org.uk
March 21, 2025 at 2:50 PM
From yesterday: Increases to most Home Office fees from 9 April 2025 | Sonia Lenegan
Congratulations to St Edward's RC Primary School in Selly Park in Birmingham who became our latest awarded School of Sanctuary after today's visit. What knowledgeable and compassionate pupils and staff!
@cityofsanctuaryuk.bsky.social @storiesofhome.bsky.social
@cityofsanctuaryuk.bsky.social @storiesofhome.bsky.social
February 3, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Congratulations to St Edward's RC Primary School in Selly Park in Birmingham who became our latest awarded School of Sanctuary after today's visit. What knowledgeable and compassionate pupils and staff!
@cityofsanctuaryuk.bsky.social @storiesofhome.bsky.social
@cityofsanctuaryuk.bsky.social @storiesofhome.bsky.social
Welcome to St John's & St Peter's Primary, the first Church of England school in our network to receive the School of Sanctuary award! They are blazing a trail for others to follow. Well done to staff and pupils!
@cityofsanctuaryuk.bsky.social
@cityofsanctuaryuk.bsky.social
January 27, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Welcome to St John's & St Peter's Primary, the first Church of England school in our network to receive the School of Sanctuary award! They are blazing a trail for others to follow. Well done to staff and pupils!
@cityofsanctuaryuk.bsky.social
@cityofsanctuaryuk.bsky.social
Delighted to accompany Independent MP Ayoub Khan on his visit to Core Arena School which provides a tailor-made programme for newly-arrived asylum-seekers of secondary school age as well as giving human rights a high profile in general @cityofsanctuaryuk.bsky.social @bradford-scos.bsky.social
January 20, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Delighted to accompany Independent MP Ayoub Khan on his visit to Core Arena School which provides a tailor-made programme for newly-arrived asylum-seekers of secondary school age as well as giving human rights a high profile in general @cityofsanctuaryuk.bsky.social @bradford-scos.bsky.social
Birmingham Schools of Sanctuary end-of-term newsletter is now available!
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cdn.cityofsanctuary.org
December 17, 2024 at 9:49 AM
Birmingham Schools of Sanctuary end-of-term newsletter is now available!
cdn.cityofsanctuary.org/uploads/site...
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