The Nationality and Borders Bill is the Government’s proposed legislation to overhaul the UK’s asylum system. The Bill was published by the Government on 6 July 2021 and has been hugely controversial from the outset. Labelled as the “Anti-Refugee Bill” by campaigners, the Bill is now working its way through Parliament as the situation in the Ukraine unfolds. At the time of writing, the UN Refugee Agency estimates that over 4 million people have fled the Ukraine since 24 February and the number of people leaving continues to rise. We can see the real impact this has on individuals and families with limited options and limited legal routes available to help find a safe place to stay.
This article sets out the background to the Nationality and Borders Bill. There is no doubt that the current situation brings into sharp focus how the UK manages its immigration and asylum systems.