The International Development Committee has today published its report into forced displacement in Africa, which calls for the UK government to increase the number of vulnerable refugees offered resettlement in the UK.

Marta Foresti, Director of the Human Mobility Initiative at the Overseas Development Institute, gave evidence to the inquiry on Tuesday, 6 November, last year.

She said: ‘We welcome the IDC’s strong and clear message to the UK government that it cannot expect poorer nations to do more to support refugees if it is not going to do the same itself.

‘While the UK should be praised for the support offered to refugees in sub-Saharan Africa, such as expanding access to jobs in countries like Ethiopia, this also needs to be matched by an increased effort to do the same in the UK, where those seeking asylum are banned from working.

‘Such double standards and the lack of coherence between UK policies at home and abroad risks undermining the country’s overall effort to support development and facilitate safe and regular migration.’

Ms Foresti is available for interview to discuss the report and its findings. She will be able to talk about:

• The committee’s call for the UK government to increase the number of the most vulnerable refugees offered resettlement in the UK from 5,000 to 10,000 per year and to review the limitations placed on asylum seekers findings work in the UK
• The committee’s concerns over the UK government’s engagement with Sudan and Libya and its call for a cross-government strategy on migration and displacement
• ODI research which shows it is ineffective to give aid in exchange for the promise to curb irregular migration and displacement

For more information or to arrange an interview with Marta Foresti please contact James Rush on [email protected] or +44 (0)7808 791265

ENDS