New report reveals ongoing barriers in housing, employment, and discrimination for LGBTQI refugees
Micro Rainbow released a comprehensive new report this week on the lived experiences of LGBTQI refugees in the UK.
The 52-page report, Held back: Poverty of LGBTQI refugees in the UK, can be downloaded here. It builds on Micro Rainbow's previous 2013 report, Poverty, Sexual Orientation and Refugees in the UK.
Micro Rainbow's new report, based on a survey of 98 LGBTQI refugees and 10 in-depth interviews, explores the current challenges and experiences of LGBTQI refugees across three key areas: safe housing and living, social integration, and pathways to independence.
Sebastian Rocca, founder and CEO of Micro Rainbow, noted the report finds that many of the challenges facing LGBTQI refugees in 2024 remain the same as in 2013. Progress in the intervening decade has been disappointingly limited.
"When we published the first report in 2013, we hoped that while the situation for gay and lesbian refugees in the UK was poor, in the future we would see marked improvements in terms of inclusion and acceptance. However, we can see that 10 years of hostility and government vilification of refugees has resulted in the environment remaining much the same. Sadly, many of the recommendations from 2013 remain valid, " Rocca said.
Micro Rainbow's 2024 survey found that 90% of respondents reported feeling safer in the UK than in their home countries, but significant concerns remain, including over the key issue of housing. A 7% improvement in satisfaction with accommodation was noted since 2013, yet safety concerns, poor conditions, and a lack of privacy remain widespread. Homelessness is a growing issue, with 41% of respondents having experienced it as asylum seekers and 39% as refugees, exacerbated by the short 28-day "move-on period" to find new accommodation after gaining refugee status.
Financial instability persists among LGBTQI refugees in the UK, with 72% unable to meet basic living expenses. Universal Credit remains a primary source of income for 65%, a slight increase from 2013, reflecting ongoing challenges in achieving financial self-sufficiency. The report recommends increasing the move-on period to 56 days and allowing asylum seekers to work while their claims are pending to alleviate housing and financial pressures.
No progress has been made to enable LGBTQI refugees to enter the job market. While 71% of respondents had actively searched for work, only 36% were currently employed, a slight decrease compared to 2013 figures. A major barrier remains the lack of recognition for foreign qualifications, with 63% of respondents with higher education degrees stating their qualifications are not recognised in the UK, compared to 50% in 2013.
The report calls for greater efforts to upskill LGBTQI refugees, recognise their overseas qualifications, and for employers to be more flexible in valuing foreign work experience. It also emphasises the need for better awareness of refugee employment rights.
In addition, Micro Rainbow stresses: "Permitting asylum seekers to work whilst their claims are pending would provide the opportunity for them to make positive contributions to society from the outset, rather than having to rely on state handouts and wait for the grant of their refugee status. Whilst asylum seekers remain unable to work, they cannot build up any relevant work experience in the UK. Once they are granted refugee status, many struggle to obtain jobs at first due to the lack of relevant experience and unwillingness of some employers to recognise work experience gained outside of the UK. In our 2013 report, our recommendations urged policy makers to re-consider the policy on asylum seekers' rights to work. Again, we urge policy makers to review this policy, as it is contributing to poverty and financial struggles for many individuals."
More positively, the report finds there was a 48% reduction in discrimination based on LGBTQI status, with 38% of 2024's respondents reporting discrimination, down from 86% in 2013. Micro Rainbow said: "This is extremely encouraging, but there remains progress to be made for the LBGTQI community more generally, with over a third of respondents continuing to face discrimination due to their LGBTQI status."
When asked about discrimination based on refugee status, 50% of respondents reported feeling discriminated against or treated less favourably, compared to 66% of respondents in 2013. While the reduction was welcomed as positive, Micro Rainbow said it was disappointing that it was not greater.
Healthcare access has improved, with over 90% of LGBTQI refugees registered with the NHS. However, overall health has worsened, with increases in the percentage of respondents reporting physical illnesses and mental health needs. A third of respondents with mental health needs said they did not receive support due to barriers such as lack of information, long waiting times, and fears of discrimination. Broader issues of healthcare access for both refugees and the LGBTQI community contribute to these challenges.
With regard to social inclusion, 79% of respondents reported they had made new friends in the UK, but the report highlights: "It is clear that many LGBTQI refugees, despite the safety of the UK, continue to fear discrimination and mistreatment by others from their home country. Where they feel comfortable to socialise with others from their home countries, often these are other refugees and/or LGBTQI individuals."
The report calls for anti-discrimination training and improved access to healthcare among its many recommendations aimed at enhancing integration and ensuring LGBTQI refugees feel supported and included in UK society.
In concluding its report, Micro Rainbow stated: "Whilst 91% of LGBTQI refugees feel safer in the UK than they did in their home countries – they are able to enjoy many of the fundamental freedoms that the UK offers, develop strong friendships and have good access to services like healthcare and banking, in many areas, the results of our research make for unhappy reading. Many of the same difficulties have been identified and have been exacerbated as austerity measures, the 'hostile environment' policy, and the cost-of-living crisis have each taken their toll. It is clear that there remain significant barriers limiting the ability of LGBTQI refugees to flourish in the UK. There are some positive signs within the results, but they are limited and mirror those identified in our 2013 report.
"Many of the issues will be familiar to anyone with experience or knowledge of the UK's asylum and refugee system. However, it seems clear that members of the LGBTQI community are particularly at risk. Their LGBTQI identity adds a further layer of complexity and challenge which is not being adequately addressed.
"It is hoped that the lived experiences and challenges described within this report and the recommendations provided will be considered by the various groups which they are aimed at, to guide and drive future change and improve LGBTQI refugee integration in the UK."