Policy workFind out how we use our evidence base to influence policy

Asylum support is a legal entitlement that asylum seekers have.  And yet, asylum seekers find it extremely difficult to exercise their legal right to food and shelter.

ASAP's position is that entitlement to support is stipulated by law and, as such, asylum support must be provided in accordance with this law.  ASAP’s aim is to protect this legal entitlement which is often misunderstood, leading to mal-administration of the system and causing unnecessary destitution of asylum seekers.  

ASAP’s strength lies in our ability to combine the evidence collected from our tribunal representation work, our second-tier advice work and legal expertise on asylum support issues to advocate for better asylum support and asylum support appeals systems and procedures.  We produce dossiers and research, advocate at various stakeholder meetings and issue pre-action letters (i.e. warnings that legal actions will be taken unless the practice is remedied) to create a positive change for asylum seekers.

We have been working on many issues including the following:

• The impact of the 'covid-era' remote appeals system on our clients
• The Home Office decision to stop people's asylum support while the pandemic is on-going
• The Home Office guidance on how the asylum support system should respond to domestic abuse 
• The quality of asylum support decision making by the Home Office

For more information about ASAP’s policy, lobbying and research work, please contact us.