Government Strategies

National Strategies

Whilst the Coalition Government has yet to clearly set out its strategy for refugee integration, Damian Green MP, Minister for Immigration, outlined recent developments and plans for the future of the asylum system in a speech to the National Asylum Stakeholder Forum on 28 May 2011.

Key issues from the speech included commitents to:

  • increasing transparency about performance
  • reforming the screening process of asylum applications
  • increasing gender sensitivity within the asylum system
  • conducting a comprehensive analysis of decisions overturned in the appeals process
  • making returns and removals more effective

To read the full speech please click here.

The Government’s most recent document relating to integration, “Creating the conditions for integration” published by the Department for Communities and Local Government” makes no direct mention of refugees and asylum seekers.

Examples of national refugee integration and employment strategies from previous administrations are set out below: 

'Moving on Together: Government's recommitment to refugee integration' published by the UK Border Agency in March 2009

'Integration Matters', published by the Home Office in March 2005

'Working to Rebuild Lives: a refugee employment strategy' published by the Department for Work and Pensions in March 2005, and in summary here.

'Working together to help rebuild lives: A framework for partnership working to help refugees fulfill their potential' published by Jobcentre Plus in 2005

Regional strategies

The UKBA part funds twelve regional strategic migration partnerships in the UK. These operate as multi-agency fora, led by regional authorities. Their role is broadly to maintain a strategic overview of issues, coordinate activities to promote refugee and migrant integration and ensure that these activities are linked into the work of other strategic boards, such as those focusing on regional employment and skills.

London's Strategic Migration Partnership has developed, and is responsible for implementing, 'London Enriched: The Mayor's Refugee and Migrant Integration Strategy'. This strategy was launched in December 2009. Each year the LSMP produces an implementation plan, against which progress is monitored. To read the Year 2 implementation plan, please click here. Employability Forum is a member of the LSMP.