Refugee Council
@refugeecouncil.bsky.social
The Refugee Council is the nation’s refugee charity. We support refugees to rebuild their lives, integrate into communities and play a part in Britain.
"We are a country of migrants... The vast majority of refugees who come here want to work hard, give back, and become proud Britons."
Watch our CEO Enver Solomon speaking about Britain's asylum system on Channel 4 News last night.
@channel4news.bsky.social
www.channel4.com/news/debate-...
Watch our CEO Enver Solomon speaking about Britain's asylum system on Channel 4 News last night.
@channel4news.bsky.social
www.channel4.com/news/debate-...
Debate: Is Britain’s asylum system broken?
We spoke to the former director general of the UK Border Force, Tony Smith, and the Refugee Council's Chief Executive, Enver Solomon.
www.channel4.com
November 28, 2025 at 11:32 AM
"We are a country of migrants... The vast majority of refugees who come here want to work hard, give back, and become proud Britons."
Watch our CEO Enver Solomon speaking about Britain's asylum system on Channel 4 News last night.
@channel4news.bsky.social
www.channel4.com/news/debate-...
Watch our CEO Enver Solomon speaking about Britain's asylum system on Channel 4 News last night.
@channel4news.bsky.social
www.channel4.com/news/debate-...
Despite anti-refugee misinformation, we see in our frontline services every day how refugees already contribute massively to the UK.
Our CEO Enver Solomon in The Standard for the "Who's at your table?" campaign with Comic Relief ⬇️
www.standard.co.uk/comment/enve...
Our CEO Enver Solomon in The Standard for the "Who's at your table?" campaign with Comic Relief ⬇️
www.standard.co.uk/comment/enve...
Enver Solomon: 'When we hear the word ‘refugee’ do we think ‘giver’?'
Despite misinformation that characterises refugees as a burden, their massive contribution to London is what makes the city the thriving metropolis it is today
www.standard.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Despite anti-refugee misinformation, we see in our frontline services every day how refugees already contribute massively to the UK.
Our CEO Enver Solomon in The Standard for the "Who's at your table?" campaign with Comic Relief ⬇️
www.standard.co.uk/comment/enve...
Our CEO Enver Solomon in The Standard for the "Who's at your table?" campaign with Comic Relief ⬇️
www.standard.co.uk/comment/enve...
The government’s plan to review refugee status every 30 months is unworkable and extremely costly - and applying it retrospectively to people already granted protection will make an unmanageable system even worse.
November 24, 2025 at 8:09 AM
The government’s plan to review refugee status every 30 months is unworkable and extremely costly - and applying it retrospectively to people already granted protection will make an unmanageable system even worse.
People who have been persecuted, tortured or seen family members killed in brutal wars are not "asylum shopping."
As our CEO told @thetimes.com, refugees don’t compare asylum systems before running for their lives.
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
As our CEO told @thetimes.com, refugees don’t compare asylum systems before running for their lives.
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Shabana Mahmood’s radical reforms to halt ‘asylum shoppers’
Shabana Mahmood will announce Denmark-style plans to increase deportations and reduce pull factors to the UK
www.thetimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:01 PM
People who have been persecuted, tortured or seen family members killed in brutal wars are not "asylum shopping."
As our CEO told @thetimes.com, refugees don’t compare asylum systems before running for their lives.
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
As our CEO told @thetimes.com, refugees don’t compare asylum systems before running for their lives.
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
The government may have been successful in this case, but they still have a problem on their hands. Hotels are not an appropriate long-term solution for housing people seeking asylum. Nor is warehousing people in military barracks or other large sites. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Epping hotel must continue housing asylum seekers, judge rules
A council has lost its legal battle with the government in a landmark High Court ruling.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 12:19 PM
The government may have been successful in this case, but they still have a problem on their hands. Hotels are not an appropriate long-term solution for housing people seeking asylum. Nor is warehousing people in military barracks or other large sites. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Large accommodation sites are not a viable or humane solution, as we told The Times.
These plans are extremely costly and logistically complex.
They will further isolate people away from communities and fail to address the real issues facing the asylum system.
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
These plans are extremely costly and logistically complex.
They will further isolate people away from communities and fail to address the real issues facing the asylum system.
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Home Office earmarks sites to house up to 10,000 migrants
Shabana Mahmood is planning a major shake-up of the immigration system, looking to Denmark’s tight asylum controls for inspiration
www.thetimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Large accommodation sites are not a viable or humane solution, as we told The Times.
These plans are extremely costly and logistically complex.
They will further isolate people away from communities and fail to address the real issues facing the asylum system.
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
These plans are extremely costly and logistically complex.
They will further isolate people away from communities and fail to address the real issues facing the asylum system.
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
"I can work, my children can go to school. We feel safe here. But in Afghanistan, people are in a really bad situation."
Read about our previous client Nahid, whose pop-up restaurants have fed thousands of people and helped other refugees into work.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Read about our previous client Nahid, whose pop-up restaurants have fed thousands of people and helped other refugees into work.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Entrepreneurial refugee says 'thank you UK' for giving family sanctuary
Since settling in North Yorkshire, Nahid Hamidi has set up a pop-up restaurant and helps other refugees.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 5:34 PM
"I can work, my children can go to school. We feel safe here. But in Afghanistan, people are in a really bad situation."
Read about our previous client Nahid, whose pop-up restaurants have fed thousands of people and helped other refugees into work.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Read about our previous client Nahid, whose pop-up restaurants have fed thousands of people and helped other refugees into work.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
75 years ago, the ECHR was born out of the horrors of World War II. It protects all of us - and has been the difference between life and death for many.
That's why we and almost 300 organisations are calling on the government to defend our human rights.
libertyhumanrights.org.uk/issue/almost...
That's why we and almost 300 organisations are calling on the government to defend our human rights.
libertyhumanrights.org.uk/issue/almost...
November 4, 2025 at 5:39 PM
75 years ago, the ECHR was born out of the horrors of World War II. It protects all of us - and has been the difference between life and death for many.
That's why we and almost 300 organisations are calling on the government to defend our human rights.
libertyhumanrights.org.uk/issue/almost...
That's why we and almost 300 organisations are calling on the government to defend our human rights.
libertyhumanrights.org.uk/issue/almost...
Reposted by Refugee Council
Two months after the Government paused refugee family reunion, Lord Kerr has written for @politicshome.bsky.social about an amendment led by @alfdubs.bsky.social seeking to ensure that refugee children can continue to be reunited with family members in the UK www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
Refugee families in the UK must have a safe route to reunite with a lost child
Lord Dubs' amendment to the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill would address the heartbreaking choices faced by parents separated from th...
www.politicshome.com
November 4, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Two months after the Government paused refugee family reunion, Lord Kerr has written for @politicshome.bsky.social about an amendment led by @alfdubs.bsky.social seeking to ensure that refugee children can continue to be reunited with family members in the UK www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
Survivors of torture need safety and stability - not unsafe, unsuitable and overcrowded accommodation where they feel like prisoners.
Read Freedom from Torture's new report, 'A Place to Heal: How asylum accommodation re-traumatises torture survivors' ✍️
freedomfromtorture.org/news-and-sto...
Read Freedom from Torture's new report, 'A Place to Heal: How asylum accommodation re-traumatises torture survivors' ✍️
freedomfromtorture.org/news-and-sto...
November 3, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Survivors of torture need safety and stability - not unsafe, unsuitable and overcrowded accommodation where they feel like prisoners.
Read Freedom from Torture's new report, 'A Place to Heal: How asylum accommodation re-traumatises torture survivors' ✍️
freedomfromtorture.org/news-and-sto...
Read Freedom from Torture's new report, 'A Place to Heal: How asylum accommodation re-traumatises torture survivors' ✍️
freedomfromtorture.org/news-and-sto...
Before #BlackHistoryMonth is over, read this post by Adam, a refugee from Sudan who works with refugee communities:
"When we honour Black History, we must also honour refugee history... both are stories of endurance, transformation and human strength."
www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/stay-informe...
"When we honour Black History, we must also honour refugee history... both are stories of endurance, transformation and human strength."
www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/stay-informe...
Black History helps us rebuild - Refugee Council
Adam* explains how a rich history inspires him, and lives on in the refugees he works with.
www.refugeecouncil.org.uk
October 31, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Before #BlackHistoryMonth is over, read this post by Adam, a refugee from Sudan who works with refugee communities:
"When we honour Black History, we must also honour refugee history... both are stories of endurance, transformation and human strength."
www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/stay-informe...
"When we honour Black History, we must also honour refugee history... both are stories of endurance, transformation and human strength."
www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/stay-informe...
Our Chief Executive, Enver Solomon, will be leaving in early 2026 to join @nacro.bsky.social as CEO.
Enver says: “It has been a privilege leading the Refugee Council for the last five years during an extraordinary period for the charity’s mission."
www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/press-office...
Enver says: “It has been a privilege leading the Refugee Council for the last five years during an extraordinary period for the charity’s mission."
www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/press-office...
October 31, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Our Chief Executive, Enver Solomon, will be leaving in early 2026 to join @nacro.bsky.social as CEO.
Enver says: “It has been a privilege leading the Refugee Council for the last five years during an extraordinary period for the charity’s mission."
www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/press-office...
Enver says: “It has been a privilege leading the Refugee Council for the last five years during an extraordinary period for the charity’s mission."
www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/press-office...
This is not who we are as a country – we should not be forcing children to grow up without their parents.
Read this new British Red Cross report, which shows why refugee family reunion is such a crucial lifeline.
redcross.org.uk/about-us/wha...
Read this new British Red Cross report, which shows why refugee family reunion is such a crucial lifeline.
redcross.org.uk/about-us/wha...
October 29, 2025 at 3:40 PM
This is not who we are as a country – we should not be forcing children to grow up without their parents.
Read this new British Red Cross report, which shows why refugee family reunion is such a crucial lifeline.
redcross.org.uk/about-us/wha...
Read this new British Red Cross report, which shows why refugee family reunion is such a crucial lifeline.
redcross.org.uk/about-us/wha...
Plans to house 10,000 people seeking asylum on military sites are fanciful, too expensive and too logistically difficult.
These large sites also isolate people who have fled persecution and violence, separating them from communities and vital services.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
These large sites also isolate people who have fled persecution and violence, separating them from communities and vital services.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Plans to house UK asylum seekers in barracks are costly and complicated, experts say
Exclusive: Organisations warn using the barracks in Sussex and Inverness may be more expensive than hotels
www.theguardian.com
October 29, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Plans to house 10,000 people seeking asylum on military sites are fanciful, too expensive and too logistically difficult.
These large sites also isolate people who have fled persecution and violence, separating them from communities and vital services.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
These large sites also isolate people who have fled persecution and violence, separating them from communities and vital services.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Refugee Council
Thanks to @carladenyer.bsky.social for setting out our @refugeecouncil.bsky.social proposal to end the use of hotels for people seeking asylum without needing to resort to unsuitable, expensive military sites in the House of Commons just now www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/stay-informe...
Ending the use of hotels to house people seeking asylum - Refugee Council
New analysis outlines how the UK can responsibly end the use of asylum hotels within a year through a secure, practical solution.
www.refugeecouncil.org.uk
October 29, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Thanks to @carladenyer.bsky.social for setting out our @refugeecouncil.bsky.social proposal to end the use of hotels for people seeking asylum without needing to resort to unsuitable, expensive military sites in the House of Commons just now www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/stay-informe...
Jon Featonby, chief policy analyst at the Refugee Council, said: “The previous government tried and failed to put people off taking risky journeys by reducing the rights of refugees once they were in the UK. It didn’t work then and there is no evidence to suggest it will work now."
Starmer to end asylum ‘golden ticket’ of resettlement and family reunion rights
Starmer to end asylum ‘golden ticket’ of resettlement and family reunion rights
People granted asylum will have to earn right to invite family in plan charities call ‘straight from populist playbook’
People granted asylum will no longer be given “the golden ticket” of resettlement and family reunion rights, Keir Starmer said, amid deepening concerns from charities that his words are demonising refugees.
As the prime minister prepared to discuss illegal migration with European leaders, No 10 outlined plans to strip successful claimants of the right to automatically invite spouses and children to join them. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
October 3, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Jon Featonby, chief policy analyst at the Refugee Council, said: “The previous government tried and failed to put people off taking risky journeys by reducing the rights of refugees once they were in the UK. It didn’t work then and there is no evidence to suggest it will work now."
Hostility towards refugees is having very real consequences for not only the people who have fled places like Sudan and Afghanistan, but also for the organisations trying to help them. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
More than 150 lawyers and refugee NGOs report being ‘pressured into silence’ by far-right protesters
At least two groups supporting UK asylum seekers have closed their offices after credible threats to their safety
www.theguardian.com
September 23, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Hostility towards refugees is having very real consequences for not only the people who have fled places like Sudan and Afghanistan, but also for the organisations trying to help them. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Refugee Council
🎙️ Our Refugee Podcast Launches today with
@enversol.bsky.social from @refugeecouncil.bsky.social
Listen to Enver discuss the importance of expanding #SafeRoutes for #Refugees & the vital role the media plays.
💚 Listen on Spotify: lnkd.in/dY52K6TW
❤️ Watch on YouTube: lnkd.in/dT6egumh
@enversol.bsky.social from @refugeecouncil.bsky.social
Listen to Enver discuss the importance of expanding #SafeRoutes for #Refugees & the vital role the media plays.
💚 Listen on Spotify: lnkd.in/dY52K6TW
❤️ Watch on YouTube: lnkd.in/dT6egumh
September 16, 2025 at 10:32 AM
🎙️ Our Refugee Podcast Launches today with
@enversol.bsky.social from @refugeecouncil.bsky.social
Listen to Enver discuss the importance of expanding #SafeRoutes for #Refugees & the vital role the media plays.
💚 Listen on Spotify: lnkd.in/dY52K6TW
❤️ Watch on YouTube: lnkd.in/dT6egumh
@enversol.bsky.social from @refugeecouncil.bsky.social
Listen to Enver discuss the importance of expanding #SafeRoutes for #Refugees & the vital role the media plays.
💚 Listen on Spotify: lnkd.in/dY52K6TW
❤️ Watch on YouTube: lnkd.in/dT6egumh
Statement from our Chief Executive @enversol.bsky.social, on today's cabinet reshuffle and appointment of a new Home Secretary: www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/press-office...
September 5, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Statement from our Chief Executive @enversol.bsky.social, on today's cabinet reshuffle and appointment of a new Home Secretary: www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/press-office...
Until now, family reunion has been one of the only safe and legal routes available that allows refugees fleeing war and persecution to be reunited with their partner and children. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Yvette Cooper accused of pushing children towards people smugglers by halting refugee scheme
Home secretary under fire over suspension of family reunion system that she said was at risk of being exploited
www.theguardian.com
September 2, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Until now, family reunion has been one of the only safe and legal routes available that allows refugees fleeing war and persecution to be reunited with their partner and children. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Refugee Council
In the year to June 2025, 92% of refugee family reunion visas were given to women and children. More than half went to children. Two thirds to people from Syria, Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iran and Sudan. It helps integration and provides a safe route. Family reunion should be easier, not harder.
September 1, 2025 at 7:09 AM
In the year to June 2025, 92% of refugee family reunion visas were given to women and children. More than half went to children. Two thirds to people from Syria, Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iran and Sudan. It helps integration and provides a safe route. Family reunion should be easier, not harder.
Reposted by Refugee Council
There's been a lot of talk about asylum hotels over the last few weeks, but little in the way of practical suggestions. Our new analysis at @refugeecouncil.bsky.social sets out how the government could end the use of hotels within months, rather than years www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Ending the use of hotels to house people seeking asylum - Refugee Council
New analysis outlinines how the UK can responsibly end the use of asylum hotels within a year through a secure, practical solution.
www.refugeecouncil.org.uk
August 28, 2025 at 9:58 AM
There's been a lot of talk about asylum hotels over the last few weeks, but little in the way of practical suggestions. Our new analysis at @refugeecouncil.bsky.social sets out how the government could end the use of hotels within months, rather than years www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Today we've published a report showing that asylum hotels could be shut by March 2026 with a one-off scheme for people from five countries. Find out more here:
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Asylum hotels could shut next year if policy for 5 countries changed says study
The Refugee Council has called on the Government to bring give asylum seekers from Afghanistan, Syria, Eritrea, Sudan and Iran limited leave to stay, meaning hotels can close faster
www.mirror.co.uk
August 28, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Today we've published a report showing that asylum hotels could be shut by March 2026 with a one-off scheme for people from five countries. Find out more here:
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
“When refugees are welcomed, everyone benefits: local economies get a boost, skills gaps are filled, and communities gain people who want to work hard and give back.” www.marieclaire.co.uk/life/politic...
Women’s safety is being hijacked by Far-Right vigilantism
How the far-right, including Tommy Robinson, is using women’s safety concerns to fuel vigilantism and anti-immigrant hate.
www.marieclaire.co.uk
August 22, 2025 at 1:58 PM
“When refugees are welcomed, everyone benefits: local economies get a boost, skills gaps are filled, and communities gain people who want to work hard and give back.” www.marieclaire.co.uk/life/politic...
"As the political rhetoric has become more toxic... the real-world consequences for those inside the hotels and for organisations like my own and many others... become more dire." @enversol.bsky.social writing in today's @theguardian.com. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Asylum seekers are being targeted – and so are those who help them. It’s a disturbing new reality | Enver Solomon
Far-right influencers are menacing charities and individuals to further isolate the people we work with. Ensuring safety is now part of the job, says Enver Solomon of the Refugee Council
www.theguardian.com
August 22, 2025 at 1:55 PM
"As the political rhetoric has become more toxic... the real-world consequences for those inside the hotels and for organisations like my own and many others... become more dire." @enversol.bsky.social writing in today's @theguardian.com. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...