A powerful coalition of more than 150 UK charities and advocacy groups has issued an urgent plea to the government, demanding the abolition of a controversial policy they brand a 'recipe for homelessness'.
The policy in question gives refugees who have been granted leave to remain a mere 28-day notice before their asylum support and accommodation is terminated. This period, which begins the moment their refugee status is confirmed, forces individuals and families into a desperate race against time to secure housing, open a bank account, and find employment.
A System Set Up for Failure
Organisations including the Refugee Council, Crisis, and Shelter argue that the four-week window is completely unrealistic. They highlight the immense practical barriers refugees face, from navigating a complex private rental market to overcoming administrative hurdles like obtaining the necessary documentation to rent a property or claim benefits.
This 'cliff edge' cut-off, they warn, is directly fuelling a surge in destitution and rough sleeping amongst some of the most vulnerable people in society. The coalition's open letter to the Home Secretary states that the policy sets people up to fail immediately after they have been granted safety in the UK.
The Human Cost of the 28-Day Rule
Behind the policy are heartbreaking stories of individuals who have secured their legal status only to face immediate homelessness. Many refugees have survived trauma and perilous journeys, only to find their new beginning in Britain marred by sleeping on the streets or relying on emergency food banks because the system provides no adequate transition period.
The groups are calling for the government to extend the move-on period to at least 56 days, bringing it in line with the notice period given to tenants in the private rental sector. This would provide a more realistic timeframe for refugees to find their feet and secure a stable home.
Government Response and mounting Pressure
The Home Office has historically defended the 28-day period, stating that it provides a reasonable timeframe for individuals to transition into mainstream society. However, faced with mounting evidence from frontline charities and a growing coalition of critics, the pressure for a policy review is intensifying.
This call for change underscores a critical flaw in the UK's asylum integration system, highlighting the gap between being granted the right to remain and being able to actually build a safe, stable life.
