The TFSW Team respond to an ever-shifting landscape
Late last year, the government introduced radical new 'earned settlement' proposals that could see migrants waiting up to 10 years, or much longer, to settle in the UK.
Nicola shares our concerns about proposed earned settlement changes:
“In February, we told the Government that proposed changes to earned settlement risk entrenching fear and prolonged insecurity for refugees. Joining more than 200,000 responses, we warned this would undermine trauma recovery, integration, and obligations under the UN Refugee Convention, based on what we see every day in our frontline trauma work.
Instead, we called for simpler, timely, affordable routes to settlement, better access to English language support, and safe routes to asylum. A “fairer pathway” grounded in safety, belonging and dignity for the 1.3 million people who will be impacted by these changes”.
The consultation period has now closed, and we are still awaiting a response from the government.
Interested in learning more? Visit our friends over at Free Movement and the Migration Observatory for independent analysis.
In March 2026, tens of thousands gathered for an anti far-right march organised by Together Alliance, in response to last year's Unite the Kingdom demonstrations.
On behalf of TFSW, Ellie joined all those marching in solidarity with refugees on the streets of central London:
"Like many, the drone footage of last year's far-right demonstrations stayed with me. In March, there was something quietly resolving about seeing those same streets filled with messages of hope and solidarity. It was joyful to see so many organisations standing shoulder to shoulder: teachers, firefighters, care workers, cleaners, midwives and engineers, in a peaceful, celebratory day.
As part of the Choose Love Bloc, I marched alongside the Say it Loud Club, one of the largest organisations supporting LGBTQ+ refugees in the UK. There were drumbeats, dancing and chants of 'refugees are welcome here”.
You may not have seen drone footage of this countermovement on the news; the BBC has faced criticism for amplifying voices of division while missing opportunities to represent the scale of those who stand against it.
With the prospect of more far-right protests on the horizon, the Together Alliance continues to mobilise, now representing over 15 million people in the UK. You can find out more here.
In April 2026, the BBC aired an undercover investigation into fraudulent asylum advice. This prompted us to join over 100 organisations in signing a joint statement condemning the reporting as harmful to already marginalised communities.
The BBC's coverage focused on the actions of a minority of bad actors and failed to recognise key context to help the public understand the experiences of LGBTQ+ refugees seeking asylum in the UK:
Katherine explains the risks of harmful reporting on the communities we work with:
“ At TFSW we support LGBTQ+ clients who have experienced horrific discrimination in their country of origin - persecution and threat from political systems and rejection and worse from friends, family and community. Seeking sanctuary in the UK is a lifeline and yet in order to create safety, people are having to prove an identity about which they have historically been silenced. This is exposing and retraumatising at a time when people have a right to feel safe. Recent media coverage exacerbates an atmosphere of mistrust and suspicion, preventing LGBTQ+ people from feeling safe, and belonging as their authentic selves.”