British Red Cross responds to Home Office migration statistics

Responding to the latest migration statistics – including the number of asylum claims and increase in Channel crossings – published by the Home Office, Mubeen Bhutta, Director of Policy, Research and Advocacy for the British Red Cross, said:

“Behind today’s numbers are real men, women and children who have been forced to flee their homes. Too many are making perilous journeys to find safety, because they have no other option.  

“For the vast majority of people, there is no way to claim asylum in the UK without already being here. To address this, the government must create more safe routes as a key part of its plan to prevent people taking dangerous journeys to reach the UK. Without them, efforts to protect vulnerable people are unlikely to be effective.” 

British Red Cross

For over 150 years, the British Red Cross has helped people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. With millions of volunteers in over 190 countries, the British Red Cross is part of an international humanitarian Movement that’s there for people before, during and after a crisis. Together, we are the world’s emergency responders.