Micro Rainbow responds to the Government’s proposed asylum repayment scheme 

Micro Rainbow is deeply concerned by the Government’s proposal to require some people granted asylum to repay the costs of accommodation and support they received while waiting for a decision on their claim, potentially amounting to around £10,000 before they can become eligible for settlement in the UK. 

This proposal risks creating yet another barrier to safety, stability and long-term integration for refugees. The LGBTQI people seeking safety that Micro Rainbow supports have often fled severe persecution, violence, criminalisation and threats to their lives because of who they love or their gender identity. They arrive in the UK having experienced trauma, family rejection, homelessness, detention, exploitation or abuse. They come here seeking protection and the opportunity to rebuild their lives in safety. 

Receiving asylum support is not a choice. It is a necessity for people who are prevented from working while their claims are being assessed, who often arrive with little or no financial resources and who have experienced significant levels of persecution. Only people who are destitute receive asylum support, and it is these same people – some of the most marginalised – who are then going to be forced to try and rebuild their lives in the UK while burdened with significant debt.  

The amount of time that people spend waiting for their grant of refugee leave is outside of their control, and the Home Office frequently disbelieves LGBTQI refugees about their identity, meaning a longer wait before their case is resolved. Requiring refugees to later repay the costs of essential support penalises people for circumstances completely outside their control.  

Micro Rainbow’s Moving On programme is designed to help people navigate the journey from asylum seeker to refugee. A key part of that is helping people find secure housing, move into employment and integrate into their communities. The prospect of doing so while carrying a significant debt linked to their asylum claim undermines those efforts.  

We are particularly concerned about the impact this proposal could have on survivors of persecution and trauma. Successful integration depends on helping people establish stable lives, connect with their communities and contribute their skills and talents. Policies such as these that create additional financial uncertainty risk pushing vulnerable people further from these goals. 

Micro Rainbow recognises the importance of maintaining a fair and sustainable asylum system. However, we believe reforms should focus on expanding legal and safe routes, improving the quality of Home Office decision making, ensuring access to quality free legal advice and representation, improving access to specialist support, and allowing people fleeing persecution to work while they wait for a decision on their asylum claim.  

The UK has a long tradition of offering refuge to people fleeing persecution, which is one of the reasons why people have consistently come to the UK for safety. That commitment should be reflected in policies that support, rather than hinder, the integration of those who have been recognised as needing protection. Refugees are not a burden to be repaid for; they are individuals with resilience, talent and determination who can make valuable contributions to our communities when given the opportunity to thrive. 

We urge the Government to carefully consider the long-term impact of these proposals on refugee integration and wellbeing, and to ensure that the specific experiences and vulnerabilities of LGBTQI refugees are fully considered. Any changes to the asylum system must be guided by fairness, dignity and compassion, and uphold the UK’s commitment to protecting those fleeing persecution.