Our September Update: Reflecting on Labour's cruel new policies

September has been a devastating month for us all in the UK. From the Government’s suspension of all family reunion routes to Labour’s new “contribution-based settlement model”, decisions have left many feeling helpless. These announcements have also emboldened racists and far-right actors, creating an even more hostile environment for already vulnerable communities.

Suspension of all family reunion routes to the UK:
The Government announced the suspension of all refugee family reunion routes to the UK, a devastating move that will separate countless families and further restrict safe routes for those fleeing conflict.
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Our Head of Campaigns, Nick Beales, was featured in Byline Times, where he described the decision as “a shameful move with devastating consequences.” Nick highlighted that the UK’s already limited family reunion system fails to reflect the realities of war and displacement and warned that both major parties are pursuing ever harsher immigration policies in a race to outflank Reform UK.

He urged leaders to remember the human cost behind these decisions and called for compassion and humanity in the UK’s asylum system.

Labour’s “Contribution-Based Settlement Model”
Following the Cabinet reshuffle after the summer recess, newly appointed Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood made a further deeply concerning announcement – the proposed introduction of a new “contribution-based settlement model” for people in the immigration system.

This marks a dangerous shift: Labour is no longer simply seeking to control migration, but is now punishing and demonising people who already live, work and contribute to life in the UK. The proposal would require every migrant applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain to undertake voluntary work.

What this policy fails to recognise is that many migrants already work long hours in low-paid jobs, struggling to afford rent, bills, and basic living costs. Expecting them to do additional work for free is unrealistic and exploitative, and fundamentally undermines the very meaning of volunteering.

Even more worrying is that charities would effectively become extensions of government, tasked with recording and reporting migrants’ hours to assess whether they are “worthy” of settlement. As an organisation that relies on the generosity and commitment of volunteers year-round, RAMFEL refuses to be complicit in such a punitive system. Volunteering should be an act of community and solidarity, not a government-imposed test of belonging.

Unity among the charity sector:
We joined over 100 organisations in signing an open letter coordinated by Refugee Action to urge the new Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to unite communities. The letter outlined that scapegoating won’t fix inequalities, housing shortages, or a crumbling NHS. Real solutions will. It called on the new Home Secretary to engage with frontline organisations and people with lived experience before taking any further action.

Casework Successes in September: 
Despite these challenges, our casework team continued to make a tangible difference in people’s lives:

•  26 families secured permanent immigration status
• 21 people were granted Leave to Remain
• 3 people gained British citizenship 
• 300 families received food parcels