campaigns

Refugee Action has long called for the government to stop its voucher scheme, where those who were refused asylum but could not return home were given £35 a week, and no cash, to live on. Last year the government finally listened, but simply replaced the vouchers with a card; still refusing to allow people cash.

The card still restricts what people can buy, where they can shop, leaves them with no cash for essential travel and phone calls, and stigmatises them.

• It's limited to certain shops, requiring people to walk up to three miles to do basic shopping.
• It stops people from buying in cheaper places e.g. markets – leaving people poorer than if they received the same amount in cash
• People can't carry over more than £5 in total, so they can't save for more expensive items like toiletries.
• Supermarkets can assess what they deem to be 'essential items' and refuse anything they think doesn't meet these criteria.

“One supermarket refused an individual orange juice and socks; on the basis they weren't 'essential'.” Jackie, Refugee Action Caseworker

Our solution

Please email the Immigration Minister now, and ask for the card to be replaced with cash. This would not only save staff time in a period when the government are cutting services, but it would give people greater dignity, and allow them to think about their options rather than struggle to buy the basic necessities for every day life. The government is currently looking at how to improve the asylum system, so this is a time when our voices can really make a difference.