Enver Solomon, the outgoing chief executive of the Refugee Council, has described a sharp rise in hostility and toxicity towards asylum seekers in the UK over the past five years. In a reflection on his tenure, he noted that legislative hyperactivity has seen four asylum and migration bills become law since 2020, with a fifth expected soon.
Solomon highlighted a shift in political rhetoric, with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood claiming illegal migration is “tearing the country apart” and opposition leader Kemi Badenoch suggesting women have “stopped jogging in the park because there are men lurking in bushes”. He argued this narrative has emboldened far-right groups and led to attacks on asylum seeker accommodation and staff.
He recounted never expecting to see a hotel housing asylum seekers set on fire, or needing security protection for his own home. Solomon warned that hostility has reached unprecedented levels and fears worse may come, with officials bracing for more protests this summer.
Despite government efforts, public scepticism remains high. Analysis suggests net migration could become negative by year-end, yet most voters believe immigration is increasing and lack confidence in border control. The asylum system remains dysfunctional, with the National Audit Office finding over half of applicants from three years ago still awaiting decisions.
Solomon criticised administrative failures, such as letters sent to wrong addresses and incorrect interpreter assignments. He recalled the Windrush inquiry’s conclusion that the Home Office has lost sight of the individuals behind the cases, urging that better political decisions could prevent such outcomes.
