Research on Refugees Shelved by Home Office Highlights Underserved Skills and Talent

A shelved Home Office research project on refugees reveals that asylum seekers possess a wealth of skills and talent that are not being utilized to the country's benefit. The study, which was passed to the Guardian despite being refused publication by Minister Charles Wardle, challenges popular perceptions of refugees as poorly educated economic migrants. The research highlights the struggles faced by refugees in adjusting to British life, including language barriers, discrimination, and instability.

Key Takeaways:

• The research project, shelved by Home Office Minister Charles Wardle, interviewed 263 people who have been granted refugee status or given exceptional leave to remain in Britain.
• Half the sample (50%) had to wait 16 months or more for a decision on their case by the Immigration and Nationality Department.
• More than a fifth (21%) of the sample were kept waiting for 30 months or more, with one case waiting nearly six years.
• The study found that 56% of refugees had never had paid employment in Britain, with 40% wanting work but unable to secure a job or access full-time education.
• 66% of the sample had a good working knowledge of English, but this was often short of the level required to practice in a professional job.
• 30% of the sample had had only temporary jobs for a short time, while 14% had been steady earners for most of their time, usually after an initial short period of unemployment.
• 66% of refugees reported experiencing stress, anxiety, or depression, and 10% had chronic health problems or disabilities.
• A large majority of refugees (70%) reported encountering some kind of discrimination, with 30% recalling instances of verbal abuse and 18% experiencing physical threats.

Statistics:

• 50% of refugees had to wait 16 months or more for a decision on their case. (Source: Internal Home Office minutes)
• 21% of the sample were kept waiting for 30 months or more. (Source: Internal Home Office minutes)
• 56% of refugees had never had paid employment in Britain. (Source: Home Office research project)
• 66% of the sample had a good working knowledge of English. (Source: Home Office research project)
• 66% of refugees reported experiencing stress, anxiety, or depression. (Source: Home Office research project)
• 10% of refugees had chronic health problems or disabilities. (Source: Home Office research project)

Sources:

• Internal Home Office minutes
• Home Office research project
• Guardian