13/10/2026
UK Immigration and Asylum Bill: Government Acknowledges Risks of Destitution, Homelessness and Exploitation
13 October 2026 | Sisters Not Strangers (SNS)
The Home Office has published its final Impact Assessment of the Immigration and Asylum Bill 2026, acknowledging that some proposed immigration reforms could increase financial hardship, homelessness and vulnerability to exploitation.
What does the assessment reveal?
- Asylum support: Proposed repayment requirements could discourage people from working, increase financial hardship and potentially lead to destitution and homelessness.
- Modern slavery survivors: Changes to temporary immigration permission and work rights could leave survivors more vulnerable to poverty and re-exploitation.
- Family life: The Government estimates that changes to Article 8 family and private-life protections could result in approximately 14,000 additional initial refusals annually.
- Asylum appeals: Longer waiting times during the transition to a new appeals system could negatively affect people's wellbeing and ability to rebuild their lives.
Why does this matter for refugee and asylum-seeking women?
Women who have experienced violence, displacement, trafficking or prolonged uncertainty may face additional barriers to financial independence, safety and recovery.
For women with children, caring responsibilities or limited access to financial resources, these proposed changes could deepen existing inequalities.
SNS believes that immigration policies must be assessed not only by their intended outcomes, but also by their real consequences for people's lives.
The Government's own assessment raises serious concerns. These risks must be addressed before legislation is implemented.
Women with lived experience must also have meaningful opportunities to influence the policies and safeguards that directly affect them.
Important: These are proposed reforms. They have not yet become law.
Official source: Home Office Impact Assessment, 13 October 2026
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-and-asylum-bill-2026-impact-assessment
