Newly recognised refugees are being let down by the UK Government and left to fend for themselves, according to new research conducted by the Refugee Council.
The research revealed that refugees who have been granted asylum have only four weeks to find a job and alternative accommodation before they are made to leave their asylum accommodation. They can apply for a loan to help them integrate, but this can take up to six weeks to be processed, which is two weeks longer than their accommodation is provided for. As a result, many end up homeless and reliant on foodbanks or other charities for help.
According to the Refugee Council, over 9,500 refugees will have experienced these problems in 2015.
The charity has called on the Government to do more to help refugees who have been granted asylum and to ensure they are not forgotten about.
"For people who have escaped war, torture and rape; being granted asylum in Britain should be a moment of immense relief; a time to finally stop running and instead to focus on rebuilding their shattered lives,” explained report co-author and Refugee Council Head of Advocacy Dr. Lisa Doyle.
“Shockingly, quite the opposite is true,” she said. “These forgotten refugees are being all but abandoned by the Government which has just committed to protecting them. Quite simply, refugees are being left without refuge.”
"It’s time for the Government to acknowledge this hidden crisis and make sure no one who’s granted protection in Britain is left to with nowhere to safe to sleep,” she added.
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