Migrant crossings to UK hit new record, heaping pressure on Sunak
London, UK Reuters More than 4,600 asylum seekers have arrived in Britain on small boats so far in 2024, a record total for the first three months of the year and giving Prime Minister Rishi Sunak a fresh political headache. Provisional data from the Home Office showed on Wednesday that 4,644 people had been detected […]
Bacteria in the water forces UK to remove asylum seekers from barge
London, UKReuters Britain is taking a group of asylum seekers off a barge just days after moving them onto the vessel because Legionella bacteria was found in the water supply, an embarrassment for the government as it tries to showcase a tough new immigration policy. Britain began moving the asylum seekers onto the Bibby Stockholm, […]
UK local authority loses bid to stop asylum seekers being housed at air base
London, UKReuters A local authority in south-eastern England on Friday lost a bid at London’s High Court to stop the British Government from accommodating asylum seekers at a former military base. Braintree District Council, in Essex to the north-east of London, had sought an injunction to prevent the Home Office housing up to 1,700 asylum […]
Essay: The UK spent a third of its international aid budget on refugees in the UK – what it’s paying for, and why it’s a problem
In an article first published on The Conversation, MICHAEL COLLYER, professor of geography at the University of Sussex, looks at the complicated situation surrounding the UK Government’s support of refugees…
Reports of suspected slavery stall in UK due to coronavirus
London, UKThomson Reuters Foundation The number of suspected modern slaves identified annually in Britain has stalled for the first time since 2012, official data revealed on Thursday, with campaigners concerned that the coronavirus pandemic has hindered efforts to support victims. About 10,613 potential victims were referred to the British Government for help last year – […]
Fewer suspected modern slaves uncovered in UK under coronavirus
London, UKThomson Reuters Foundation Reports of suspected modern slavery in Britain are down for the first time since 2016, the government said on Thursday, raising concerns that lockdown is pushing victims deeper underground. Campaigners say the shutdown had stopped victims being seen or seeking help, with frontline services focused on COVID-19. About 2,870 possible victims […]
Britain must boost support for modern slaves, court rules
LondonThomson Reuters Foundation Survivors of modern slavery in Britain should no longer have support cut off six weeks after they are officially recognised as victims by the government, the High Court ruled on Wednesday. The decision – an interim measure as part of a ongoing legal review into Britain’s system for identifying and looking after […]
UK set to appoint top cop as new anti-slavery chief – media
Thomson Reuters Foundation One of Britain’s most senior police officers is set to be appointed the country’s new anti-slavery chief almost nine months after the inaugural commissioner resigned citing government interference, the Times newspaper said on Sunday. Sara Thornton, head of the National Police Chiefs’ Council since 2015, will take up the role later this […]
New anonymous tipoff system could cut forced marriage in Britain
Thomson Reuters Foundation Victims of forced marriage will be more likely to speak out after Britain said it would allow anonymous tipoffs to cut illegal immigration and help the thousands made to wed against their will, charities said on Wednesday. “We already have some of the toughest laws in the world against these crimes. But […]