London, United Kingdom, September 6, 2023 — IRC UK Executive Director, Laura Kyrke-Smith, said
“This report highlights yet another deeply concerning impact of the Illegal Migration Act on people fleeing conflict and persecution around the world. Not only those who are seeking protection in the UK, but those whose lives depend on critical UK-funded programmes overseas, which can’t be planned due to the uncertainty created by the Act.
The Government must curb the diversion of UK aid towards domestic refugee costs and ensure that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has budget certainty as swiftly as possible. This budget should be spent in fragile and conflict-affected states where need and potential impact are greatest."