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11th July 2011
Immigration Advisory Service ("IAS") Urgent advice to clients: “From 8 July 2011 we cannot do any more work on your case”
The Immigration Advisory Service (IAS), the largest provider of publically funded immigration and asylum legal advice, advised today that it had been placed into administration. This is the result of the removal of immigration from the scope of legal aid, and a 10% cut in legal aid fees for refugees seeking asylum within the UK.
Go to http://www.iasuk.org/home.aspx for advice to clients.
June 2011
Local Migration Reports - updated
The most recent local migration reports are now publicly available on the North East Strategic Migration’s website. These reports reflect data that we have up to the end of Quarter 4 2010-11.
Please follow the link below to see the reports for your area http://www.nesmp.org.uk/index.php?option=com_docman&Itemid=86
June 2011: Refugee Week North East Events
May 2011
Message from UKBA: change to rules on making further submissions at North Shields Reporting Centre:
This week is the final week for asylum seekers whose cases fall under what was previously known as the New Asylum Model, to make further submissions in person at the North Shields Reporting Centre without an appointment. As of Tuesday 31 May, applicants must have an appointment to make a further submission. Appointments can be arranged by telephoning 0191 376 2901. This phone line will open for the first time on Thursday 26 May (and each subsequent Thursday) between 10:00 and 12:00, and will arrange appointments for the following week.
Appointments will be offered on a no-choice basis, and applicants will be sent a letter confirming their appointment, which they should bring with them when attending the Reporting Centre. We will not pay travel expenses for individuals attending North Shields to make further submissions. Applicants cannot make a further submission if they do not have an appointment. The phone line is for appointments only – any other queries will not be answered.
This information is available on the UK Border Agency website at http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/asylum/outcomes/unsuccessfulapplications/further-submissions/ne-yorks-humber-fs/ where they were first announced on 24 February 2011.
2011 Census: The final deadline for return of all 2011 Census forms is 6th May. Please note that it is a legal requirement to return the Census forms. The attached letter explains that if questionnaires are not returned by 6th May then householders’ details will be passed to their noncompliance team to investigate, who may instigate prosecution proceedings. If you need any assistance in completing your forms please contact RRF staff
April 2011
John Sentamu, Archbishop of York: Is the Big Society big enough to offer shelter to refugees?
March 2011
New Family Returns Process started on the 1st March. The new process has four key stages: 1. A decision is made that a family have no legal right to remain in the UK. 2. A family returns conference will be held with the family to fully explain the situation, to explain return options and to manage barriers. At this stage they will be given the option to return voluntarily. 3. If the family fail to return on a voluntary basis, a second conference will be held with the family and they will receive 2 weeks notice that they have to leave the UK. They will be given the opportunity to manage their own return with a self check-in removal. 4. If the family subsequently fail to take up this option, then a submission is made to the Family Returns Panel to ensure a return occurs. Options include giving the family Limited Notice of Return, moving the family to Open Accommodation or the use of Pre-Departure Accommodation. Barnardo's will provide welfare services for families at new pre-departure accommodation. See Home Office UKBA website.
Feb 2011
Change of Accommodation Provider in North East region – implications for asylum seekers housed in the region. Information to clients from UKBA
The UK Border Agency has decided to extend the contract for asylum seeker accommodation and support with Jomast and to allow the contracts with the North East Contract Consortium for Asylum Support (NECCAS) and the Angel Group to naturally expire in May and June 2011 respectively. This decision was based on a range of criteria including quality of provision and price. The transition of asylum seekers to other accommodation will be carefully planned over the coming months and local UK Border Agency staff are working closely with Jomast and other key partners to reduce any disruption to a minimum. The extension takes Jomast’s contract into 2012 at which time another contract will be introduced through the ‘Compass’ tendering process (from UKBA NE Partner Update March 2011)
Government cuts funding for refugee services by 62%. This will impact on the One Stop Service and Initial Accommodation. The Refugee Intergation and Employment Service (RIES) will end completely in September 2011. The Refugee Council is campaigning against these cuts
Jan 2011
Spending cuts will affect access to ESOL. From August funding to cover fees for ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) courses will be restricted to people on ‘active benefits’ - that is people actively looking for work. So only people on Job Seekers Allowance or Employment Support Allowance can access ESOL without paying fees. Asylum Seekers, Refugees on income support such as parents, carers or elderly people, as well as those on low incomes, will be required to pay 50% of the course fees. See Refugee Council and Action for ESOL campaign for more details.
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