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CELEBRITIES CONDEMN ASYLUM SUPPORT CUTS

Prime Minister's child support commitment “rings hollow ”

Monday October 5th 2009

ACTORS, writers and journalists have expressed their anger at plans to cut the support of vulnerable asylum seekers and their children.

Actors Juliet Stevenson, Jason Isaacs and Simon Callow and director Ken Loach have added their support to a campaign against the cuts, which are to be introduced today (Monday October 5th).

Among those whose support is being specifically targeted are single parents, who already survive on benefits which are 30% less than British families. Asylum seekers are not permitted to work.

Sandy Buchan, Chief Executive of the national independent charity Refugee Action, said: “The introduction of cuts in support of single parents goes directly against legislation that the British government has itself signed. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child clearly states that all actions and policies taken by the state should be in the best interests of the child. Yet the government seems intent on discriminating against these children, who have fled war and persecution.”

Any lone parents over 18 entering the asylum system will have their support frozen at £42.16 instead of increasing in line with inflation (5.2%) to £44.35. From today, asylum seekers aged 25 and over will only be given £35.13 instead of the usual £42.16.

Mr Buchan added: “We all saw appalling scenes in Calais just two weeks ago as riot police cleared migrants away and demolished their makeshift camps. Luckily we don’t have such conditions here in Britain. But if the support that asylum seekers receive is gradually eroded, we wonder where it will end.”

Celebrities who have added their support to the campaign are film directors Ken Loach and Mat Whitecross, screenwriter Paul Laverty, actors Juliet Stevenson, Simon Callow, Jason Isaacs and Miriam Margolyes, authors Chris Cleave, Susan Boyt and Linda Grant, author and journalist Amanda Craig, author and journalist Natasha Walter, author and broadcaster Sarah Dunant, playwright David Edgar, author, journalist and founder of openDemocracy Anthony Barnett and Baroness Helena Kennedy QC.

ENDS

For more information or to organise an interview contact Julia Ravenscroft, Press Officer at Refugee Action, on 0161 831 5454/ 07771 748 159, or Dan Hodges, Director of Communications and Fundraising on 0207 654 7707.

NOTES:

Refugee Action is an independent, national charity working to enable refugees to build new lives in the UK. We provide practical advice and assistance for newly arrived asylum seekers and support their settlement through community development work. As one of the country’s leading agencies in the field, Refugee Action has 27 years’ experience in pioneering innovative work in partnership with refugees and advised more than 40,000 asylum seekers and refugees last year.

A copy of a letter signed by celebrities:

From today, people who enter the United Kingdom seeking asylum and sanctuary will have their support cut in real terms.Amongst those being specifically targeted for cuts in support are single parents, who are already expected to survive on benefits 30% less than British families and denied the right to work.

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child clearly states that all actions and policies taken by the state must ensure that the needs of children are a primary consideration. To introduce these cuts further discriminates against children already fleeing oppression, torture and persecution.

Last week we all witnessed the appalling scenes in Calais, as the French authorities responded to the needs of those seeking sanctuary with riot police and flamethrowers. We note that such measures have not yet been required on the streets of the United Kingdom. But as the British Government continues to force asylum seekers and refugees further down the road to poverty and destitution, we question where the Minister's 'firm but fair' asylum policy will ultimately lead.

In his conference speech the Prime Minister made much of his commitment to supporting children of poorer families. It is a commitment that will ring hollow in the ears of those seeking asylum.

Anthony Barnett, author, journalist, founder of openDemocracy

Susie Boyt, author

Simon Callow, actor

Amanda Craig, author and journalist

Chris Cleave, author

Sarah Dunant, author and broadcaster

David Edgar, playwright

Ralph Fiennes, actor

Colin Firth, actor

Linda Grant, author

Jason Isaacs, actor

Baroness Helena Kennedy QC

Paul Laverty, screenwriter

Ken Loach, director

Miriam Margolyes, actor

Juliet Stevenson, actor

Harriet Walter, actor

Natasha Walter, author and journalist

Mat Whitecross, film director