ACH has welcomed the appointment of Andy Burnham as Prime Minister, and called on him to build an immigration system that works for both communities and refugees.
The organisation urges discussion around immigration to move away from polarising debates, and start to look at practical solutions that can help people to rebuild their lives whilst also strengthening local communities.
Paul Hassan, Partnerships Manager at ACH says: “Every day we support people who have fled war and persecution. We see employers creating opportunities, volunteers giving their time, and refugees starting businesses, filling skills shortages and contributing to local economies. Yet these stories are too often lost in a national conversation that reduces people seeking sanctuary to political talking points rather than recognising their potential.
“The recent joint letter from refugee organisations to the Prime Minister reflects the need for an asylum system that is humane and well-managed.
“The Government has already introduced measures to reduce net migration, tighten sponsorship compliance and reform legal migration routes. Recent changes to the Skilled Worker route have raised skills thresholds, restricted sponsorship for some lower-skilled occupations and increased scrutiny of licensed sponsors.
“Alongside this, proposals to extend the standard route to settlement from five years to ten years place greater emphasis on long-term contribution and integration. However, there remains limited clarity on how people will be supported to achieve those expectations.”
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Andy Burnham’s support for the Immigration and Asylum Bill at its Second Reading suggests broad continuity with the Government’s immigration strategy. At the same time, he has publicly expressed concerns about aspects of the proposed settlement reforms, particularly where retrospective changes could unfairly affect people who have built their lives around the existing rules. The retention of Shabana Mahmood as Home Secretary also points towards continuity in the Government’s overall approach.
ACH emphasises the importance of integration, and refers to stable housing, English language learning, employment and community connections as key pillars that can not only provide for refugees, but also help them to contribute to the communities that take them in. Paul also voices his support for Burnham’s thoughts on devolution, saying that investment in integration is most effective when decisions are made locally, with refugee integration considered alongside the wider needs of communities experiencing economic exclusion.
ACH CEO, Fuad Mahamed, adds:
“ACH stands ready to work with government, businesses, local authorities and community organisations to help realise that vision. Immigration policy will undoubtedly remain one of the defining political issues of the coming years, but alongside effective border management must come an equally strong commitment to successful integration. The two are not competing priorities —they are complementary parts of a system that works for everyone.”
