Resource

While we welcome the parts of the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill that repeal the Safety of Rwanda Act 2024 and parts of the Illegal Migration Act 2023, the Bill does not go far enough to undo the harmful legislation that has been introduced in recent years. We are alarmed by the introduction of yet further criminal offences that could easily be applied to refugees as opposed to smugglers and traffickers.

We are deeply concerned about measures that deny those who are seeking protection in the UK a fair and individualised assessment of their asylum claim. This briefing examines how restricting Albanians' access to protection in the asylum system impacts survivors of trafficking.

This response to the Ministry of Justice's consultation on civil legal aid draws on HBF’s experience of supporting clients in London who are represented by, or eligible for representation by, legal aid representatives for their asylum and/or immigration matters under the Standard Civil Contract. It draws and builds on our previous submission of February 2024 to the Review of Civil Legal Aid, and includes client data and testimonials from our Ambassadors for Change.