Write to your MP and raise your concern about the tens of thousands of refused asylum seekers who are being left without support at all or are having to survive on vouchers worth just £35 a week.
Stress that providing cash support under Section 95 (this is worth 70% of Income Support) to all asylum seekers from arrival until they leave or are given status in the UK would ensure that destitution plays no part in the asylum process and would also deliver substantial financial savings to the Home Office.
Ask your MP whether they would be willing to support this policy and also that they raise your concerns with the Home Secretary regarding how the current system is both inhuman and inefficient.
To find out who your MP is and to write to them, visit www.writetothem.com.
Try and make your letter individual by writing in your own words or using additional information from our Resources section.
Other campaigning options
There are many ways you can help campaign for an end to destitution in the asylum system. Here are some other alternatives. Please try and get involved – your involvement does make a difference!
Amnesty International is campaigning for a fair and effective asylum system and to end the destitution of asylum seekers. Find out more about Amnesty’s campaign.
Refugee Action also has a Destitution campaign that highlights how the current system is both inhuman and ineffective.
Find out more about Refugee Action’s campaign.
The Refugee Council is running the Just.Fair. campaign, which is particularly concerned about the poverty and destitution facing asylum seekers.
Find out more about the Refugee Council’s Just.Fair. campaign.
The Refugee Council, the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Student Action for Refugees (STAR) and others are calling for asylum seekers to be allowed to work as part of the Just.Fair. Let them work! campaign.
You can support the Let them work! campaign here.
Citizens for Sanctuary is encouraging businesses, charities and public sector organisations to offer strategic internships to Zimbabwean asylum seekers.
Here you can find out more about Citizens for Sanctuary’s internship campaign.
Church Action on Poverty have a Destitution Action Pack which provides easy to read information and advice on how to campaign against the destitution of refused asylum seekers. You can access the pack on Church Action on Poverty’s website.
Many of the organisations that support Still Human Still Here work with volunteers.
Visit their websites to see if there are opportunities for volunteering with them.
