2️⃣ End the use of asylum hotels much sooner than 2029. In a report with @futuregovforum.bsky.social we propose 3 steps the govt should take.

Stay tuned for what these are when we publish later this week 👀

So if 'deterrents' are dodgy, then what should govt do?

1️⃣ There is good evidence that plans like the 1-in-1 out deal can have a big impact on irregular journeys because they address both the 'supply' and 'demand' for smuggling.
BUT they need scale ➡️ the UK should push to expand.

But what about Denmark? 🇩🇰

It's true their asylum applications are at historic lows. But the jury's out on what made the difference - at the same time as making life harder for arriving refugees, they closed down the ability to apply for asylum from embassies abroad.

Asylum seekers tend to have v little knowledge of a country's domestic asylum policies, let alone the knowledge to 'shop' across multiple countries..

Which makes sense, as that's the case for most normal people in Britain too, unlike us policy nerds...

For instance this study interviewed > 250 asylum seekers found that destinations are rarely identified because of a country's migration policies, but are a coming together of factors like presence of family & community ties etc.

www.refugee-economies.org/publications...

The key question now is whether it can be scaled. And that's not just about ironing out operational issues, but far more importantly whether new Home Sec can get other EU countries onboard to widen the scheme to processing and returns to other parts of Europe.

Progressives have long argued it's too risky to open up this debate.

But the debate is here 👇 and those of us that support the right to seek asylum need to figure out our response and start arguing for it, or watch the system collapse.

www.reuters.com/world/africa...

So we recommend 3 reforms to the system:

1️⃣ Allow asylum applications before arrival

2️⃣ Restrict in-country asylum to deter people from travelling irregularly when not needed

3️⃣ Implement multilaterally with a new ‘Protocol’ to the Refugee Convention, that adds to and doesn't weaken the Convention.

That's bad for governments trying to demonstrate control.

And it isn’t progressive either – it favours those with means, ability or luck to get there, and has deadly consequences for many refugees.

To do this we need to answer how refugees can fairly and safely access asylum in countries like the UK.

Currently you can only gain asylum if you can physically reach a safe country.

This => most people turn to smugglers and a dangerous journey

The core rights and responsibilities of the Refugee Convention are as relevant as ever, but the world has changed since 1951.

Govts who believe in refugee protection must face up to the challenges of today and set out a better system or risk losing it altogether.