The Home Office has ignited a fresh controversy after it emerged the department has silently terminated a vital 28-day 'move-on' period for refugees granted asylum in the UK. This critical grace period previously allowed individuals to secure housing and access essential support systems.
Charities and advocacy groups are sounding the alarm, warning this abrupt policy shift will plunge hundreds of vulnerable people into immediate destitution and homelessness, with many facing the grim prospect of sleeping rough just days after their refugee status is confirmed.
A Barrier to Family Reunion
The policy change delivers a devastating blow to family reunion applications. The process of bringing loved ones to the UK is complex and requires proof of adequate accommodation—a near-impossible task without the safety net of the 28-day period.
One refugee, who wished to remain anonymous, shared their despair: "I was recognised as a refugee on a Monday. By Friday, my support was cut. I have nowhere to live. How can I apply to bring my wife and children when I cannot even offer them a roof? The Home Office has given me my status but taken away my hope."
Charities Condemn 'Cruel and Illogical' Policy
Leading organisations have condemned the move. The Refugee Council stated the policy is "cruel and illogical," forcing refugees from a system designed to protect them straight into a new crisis of homelessness. They report a staggering 239% increase in destitution among refugees they have assisted since the change was implemented.
This shift is seen as part of a broader, harder-line approach to immigration under the current government, prioritising headline-grabbing rhetoric over practical and humane integration policies.
What Does This Mean for the Future?
The abolition of the move-on period creates a perilous gap in the UK's refugee support framework. Without time to transition, successfully recognised refugees are set up to fail, undermining their ability to integrate and build a stable, independent life.
This policy not only risks exacerbating the UK's homelessness crisis but also effectively slams the door shut on family reunions for many, trapping children and partners in dangerous situations overseas and betraying the very principle of family unity the system claims to uphold.
