We warmly welcome the recent decision by the Home Office to double the ‘move on’ period for newly granted refugees from 28 to 56 days. This is a much-needed change and we celebrate this as a meaningful win for all those working towards a fairer asylum system. 

This evidence-based policy change reflects what we have been campaigning for a long time. It recognises the immense challenges refugees face when they are evicted from their asylum accommodation and works to address the sharp rise in refugee homelessness we have seen in the last year.  

We hope this administration continues to make evidence-based, positive policy changes. While this interim measure is a positive step, we urge the government to ensure it becomes a permanent change and to extend this commitment beyond June 2025. 

Refugees deserve the opportunity to lead full lives. City of Sanctuary Sheffield and SPRING (Sheffield Project for Refugee INtergration and Growth) remain dedicated to supporting people through the ‘move on’ period, from addressing immediate housing needs, to fostering longer-term integration and empowerment, and campaigning for lasting change.  

It’s heartening to see the government listen and act on evidence, and we’re glad to see this change that will make a real difference in people’s lives.