The Government has failed to back plans which could have allowed more refugees to be reunited with their families. 

Today the Government had the chance to approve a new amendment to the Immigration Bill, currently passing through Parliament, which would have changed the rules to allow more refugees to join their loved ones.

At the moment, Britain’s harsh immigration policies leave too many refugees permanently separated from their loved ones, leaving refugees with no choice but to take dangerous journeys to and through Europe in a desperate attempt to reach the people they love most.

Despite broad public and political support for reuniting refugee families, the proposals were not put to a vote and as a result so far haven’t been adopted. 

Over 2,400 Refugee Council supporters wrote to their MPs on this issue, urging them to back the amendment and celebrities including JK Rowling, Livia Firth and Vivienne Westwood also backed our call.

Refugee Council Head of Advocacy Dr. Lisa Doyle said:

“It’s disappointing that despite widespread public and political support for reuniting refugee families, the Government has failed to amend its current policy which leaves refugees cruelly and unnecessarily separated from their loved ones.

“It seems obvious that Britain should be doing everything in its power to reunite families divided by war, rather than deliberately and permanently separating them.

“Changing the rules won’t just bring refugee families back together; it could help save lives.”

The Refugee Council believes everyone has the right to live in safety with their families. We will continue to press for refugees to be allowed to reunite with their loved ones.

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