Thread: In theory, the new #HomesForUkraine scheme starts working today. As more information comes out the clearer it becomes how unsuitable and ill-prepared it is. Rather than alleviate concerns it has become nigh on inevitable that it will increase exploitation. 1/ #r4today
You can argue "Don't let perfect be the enemy of good", problem is this scheme is neither perfect nor good. If traffickers were to design something to maximize ways to exploit people it would potentially look like this, and it doesn't need to. We already have models which work 2/
Local authorities mechanisms already exist, and as shown in the past, could be activated to provide necessary protection and support through a multi-agency, multi-disciplinary approach, which would meet immediate safeguarding needs. 3/
The model is already there. No-one denies that it takes a lot of work, but the model to do it, and ensure safeguarding is put first and foremost, exists and is being ignored in favour of a brand new scheme which is based on public goodwill over experience and expertise. 4/
We continue to see what happens when you place vulnerable people outside of existing protection mechanisms with the use of hotels for asylum seekers, with children going missing and potentially trafficked. 5/ independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-n…
Often local authorities were not notified before asylum seekers, including unaccompanied children, were placed in their boroughs. Based on what Lord Harrington confirmed this week, that looks liable to continue with the #HomesForUkraine scheme. 6/
If local authorities don't know who is being looked after in their areas, before those people arrive, then it makes it almost inevitable that people will slip through the gaps. All the best intentions or faith in the world won't stop traffickers exploiting those opportunities. 7/
A "light touch" national approach, as set out by Michael Gove, for the initial checks adds to the risks here. Due to the nature of the scheme refugees are having to put themselves forward over social media, with prospective sponsors basically looking a list. 8/
I'm not sure who needs to hear this, but if you are basing your refugee protection system on Tinder then you have definitely got issues. It's the worst of all worlds. Denies access to many, and puts those who do get it at risk of exploitation and trafficking. 9/
Part of the government's problem is that it has invested so much political capital into pushing the #NationalityAndBordersBill that it cannot now actually activate the mechanisms in place without showing itself up for its failures to help previous asylum seekers. 10/
In the UK the immigration and asylum systems are different. We've seen how the government has tried on countless occasions, such as with their "queue jumpers" line, to conflate the two. What we are seeing now, inc danger of being exploited, is the inevitable outcome of that. 11/
The government is trying its level best to "manage" a refugee situation as an immigration situation. The need for visas being a particularly noticeable, and harmful, part of this. It is an asylum situation though, and that needs certain responses. 12/
It needs the government to work with local authorities from the very beginning to ensure that no-one slips through the cracks. It needs resourcing and specialist support in place to meet immediate and long-term needs. 13/
It needs to be properly funded and provide genuine accommodation for those fleeing conflicts, and this by the way goes for those still stuck in hotels among other places. Arguably, it also needs the right to work to be guaranteed for asylum seekers. 14/
All of these things can happen. As the public's goodwill wanes, as it inevitably will, the government will need to implement most of them anyway, or see Ukrainian refugees made homeless and put at yet more risk of exploitation. 15/
A functioning mechanism for protection doesn't slow the system down if it works and is implemented from the start. Creating ad-hoc bolt-ons to paper over cracks though, now that slows the system AND puts people at risk. 16/ #r4today
What we are witnessing with the #HomesForUkraine scheme is the "privatisation of protection". The government passing the buck onto the public, rather than taking the measures it should do. It sets a concerning precedent, and it becomes a traffickers dream come true. 17/ #r4today
Oh, and just to really make it clear, the vast majority of people taking part in the scheme are doing so out of the kindness of their hearts and deserve respect and support. They shouldn't need to be doing this though and we can't just ignore the risks on display. 18/
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