A letter published in response to recent coverage argues that Labour's new refugee resettlement routes for Afghan women and Palestinians represent "too little, too late," questioning the party's use of language around "compassion" and "international obligations."
Criticism of Home Secretary's Approach
The letter, written by Eleanor Luxton, challenges the focus on whether the policy change by Shabana Mahmood will deter small boat arrivals, suggesting instead that the language itself warrants public outcry. It references Ed Miliband's admission at the Labour conference that the party has not done enough to support the Palestinian people.
Luxton also points to the abrupt closure of the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy and Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme on 1 July 2025, which occurred under Labour leadership with almost no notice.
Research on Afghan Women in Hotels
The letter highlights research conducted with Afghan women living in so-called "refugee hotels." According to this research, a significant proportion of Afghan women and girls who arrived in British hotels after the fall of Kabul in August 2021 experienced violence, were isolated from essential support services, and were evicted by the Home Office with guidance to seek permanent accommodation on Rightmove.
Luxton argues that in a time when the far right is increasingly weaponising the discourse of "protecting vulnerable women and girls," Mahmood should reflect carefully on Labour's rediscovered sense of duty towards Afghan women and the effect of the government's own policies.
Call for Evidence-Based Approaches
The letter concludes by suggesting the government would do well to consider the research of academics such as Louise Ryan, Caroline Oliver, and their team of Afghan peer researchers, who use evidence-based approaches to understand the experiences of migrants and refugees in the UK.
