Charity Sector Revolts Against 'Unworkable' Government Proposal
More than 320 charitable organisations across the United Kingdom have declared they will not cooperate with what they describe as "immoral" government plans to compel migrants and refugees to undertake mandatory volunteering. The controversial policy would require asylum seekers to volunteer as a condition for being granted leave to remain in the country.
The collective, which includes major bodies like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and the Charity Retail Association, has sent a forceful letter to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood. They argue that making volunteering compulsory is exploitative, creates unnecessary bureaucracy, and goes against fundamental British values.
Undermining a Core Principle of Volunteering
At the heart of the charities' opposition is the principle that volunteering must be a freely given act. The letter states that the government's plan "undermines a fundamental principle that volunteers give their time and skills freely." It warns that the policy would create "a population of people forced to work for free, under threat of having their lives in this country ripped away from them."
The organisations have been unequivocal in their stance, declaring: "We will not work with coerced volunteers. We will not report to the Home Office on the time people give freely... We will not allow our volunteers’ valuable work to be used against other migrants."
Wider Immigration Context and Charities' Fears
The mandatory volunteering scheme was flagged by Home Secretary Mahmood in a September speech at the Labour party conference. It forms part of a broader "contribution-based settlement model" designed to reduce immigration numbers. Other proposed conditions include learning English to a high standard, having a spotless criminal record, and not relying on social security benefits.
Charities have raised several practical and ethical concerns:
- Bureaucratic Burden: The policy would impose costly and time-consuming reporting requirements on already stretched charitable resources.
- Risk to Vulnerable People: There are fears that pressuring traumatised survivors of war or human trafficking into unpaid work could severely damage their recovery and mental health.
- Damage to Community Spirit: Many charities noted that refugees and asylum seekers already volunteer generously, and that this genuine contribution should not be enforced with threats.
Louise Calvey of Asylum Matters, which coordinated the letter, labelled the proposal as "nonsensical," while Sarah Wilson of Penrith and Eden Refugee Network stated that "Volunteering is at the heart of British values and should not be weaponised." Leigh Brimicombe of the NCVO added that the idea "fundamentally undermines the idea of volunteering."
The Home Office has been approached for comment as the government prepares to publish its detailed proposals for formal consultation.
