Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Students gear up to take action to end the poverty and destitution of asylum seekers!
STAR is teaming up with Still Human Still Here to campaign against the destitution of asylum seekers for Action Week this February 20th – 26th . Make sure you’re part of it – download the new Action Pack here!
Thousands of people who have fled war, torture and political oppression are living in extreme poverty or destitution in Britain. Some are supported by the government, but simply do not receive enough to meet their basic needs, and others have been refused asylum and receive no support at all.
STARs, it’s time to take action!
In April 2012, a decision will be taken on whether to increase asylum support rates in line with inflation. We need to make sure that the issue of destitution is high up the agenda so that they make the support system fairer for refugees.
This is why STAR is teaming up with Still Human Still Here once again for Action Week 2012 and asking the Government to:
- Ensure that all asylum seekers are adequately supported until they are either given protection in the UK or returned to their country of origin.
- Make sure that when they introduce annual increases to Income Support in line with inflation, they do the same for asylum support rates too!
- Provide asylum seekers with support rates equivalent to at least 70% of Income Support*, paid in cash, and increase the support rate for lone parents to 70% of Income Support immediately.
- Grant asylum seekers permission to work if their cases have not been resolved in 6 months or they have been refused but cannot be removed through no fault of their own.
Action Week is the time when the whole STAR network comes together to campaign for change – make sure you’re a part of it – download your Action Pack now!
Download your Action Pack
Click on the links below to download the STAR Action Pack. In it you will find: what Action Week is about, essential information on asylum and refugee issues, and loads of suggestions of how to raise awareness and campaign for change!
1. Call to Action
2. Background Information
3. Top Tips for an Awesome Action Week!
4. Campaign Action 1 – Quiz the public
5. STAR Action Week Quiz
6. 5 Minute Briefing
7. Campaign Action 2 – Live on £5 a day
8. Campaign Action 3 – Sleepout
Get planning, get creative, get going!
It’s time to quiz the public, live on £5 a day, or sleep out on the streets for a night, and show the Government that we want all asylum seekers to be able to support themselves or given enough to live on while they are in the UK.
Stay connected
STARs, stay up to date with all the latest info and action by liking our brand new STAR Action Week 2012 facebook page!
If you don’t have a STAR group at your University and want to get involved, contact STAR national.
*Income Support is a means-tested benefit designed to cover essential living costs for people that are not in full-time work in the UK
Posted by STAR team on 25/01/2012 at 10:34 AM
