Open Letter to members of the House of Lords regarding the Immigration Bill 2015 - Second Reading 22nd December, 2015

This ‘open letter’ was drafted (December, 2015) by Dr. Kate Smith on behalf of the Centre for Applied Childhood, Youth and Family Research. It was sent to more than 85 members of the House of Lords to bring attention to some of the proposed changes in the Immigration Bill 2015. The content outlines the concerns of the Centre for Applied Childhood, Youth and Family Research and how they relate to the best interests of the child and their families, as well as the protection of children’s well-being and safeguarding needs. Members were asked to speak up in support of a number of amendments at the Second Reading of the Immigration Bill on 22nd December, 2015:
• Remove the provisions in the Immigration Bill that prevent destitute refused asylum seeking families from accessing Section 95 support.
• Remove the provisions in the Immigration Bill that prevent local authorities providing leaving care support under the Children Act 1989 to specific groups of young people.
• Provide a right of appeal to those who have their support refused or discontinued because the Home Office believes there is no barrier to them returning home.
• Increase the current level of asylum support and ensure it is adjusted annually in line with inflation.
• Allow asylum seekers to work if an initial decision has not been taken on their application within six months.