politics
Fury as EHRC Urges Burnham to Make it Easier for Migrants to Access Benefits
A UK human rights watchdog has urged Andy Burnham's government to do more to stop asylum seekers getting into poverty. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said more migrants should gain access to benefits and criticised the Labour Government for ditching a scheme which helped them find work.
TL;DR
- The EHRC has called on the UK government to improve support for asylum seekers to prevent them from falling into poverty.
- The watchdog criticized the government for considering extending 'no recourse to public funds' rules and for ditching a scheme that helped migrants find work.
- EHRC chair Dr. Mary-Ann Stephenson emphasized that human rights protect everyone, including migrants, and that neglecting their rights puts everyone's at risk.
- Critics, such as Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp and Migration Watch UK chair Alp Mehmet, have strongly opposed the EHRC's recommendations, viewing them as out of touch and detrimental to British citizens.
- The UN previously recommended that the government review benefit access for migrants and asylum seekers to avoid poverty.
- The government stated its commitment to providing sanctuary, improving the immigration system, and reducing illegal crossings and hotel usage.