New report: What Works for Improving Refugee Outcomes in High-Income Countries? Policy Insights for the UK

RAMP is pleased to share the new report from the University of Oxford’s Centre on Migration, Policy and Society: “What Works for Improving Refugee Outcomes in High-Income Countries? Policy Insights for the UK” authored by Dr Isabel Ruiz and Dr Carlos Vargas-Silva. RAMP Principal David Simmonds MP contributed a foreword to this report, and as Chair of the APPG on Migration, will host the report’s parliamentary launch on 1st February (see details here).

The report finds evidence of successful approaches to refugee integration in high-income countries, with long-term employment outcomes improved by early and strategic intervention. It cites evidence of successful integration of refugees based on a number of practical interventions, which include reducing the waiting time for asylum decisions, strategic placement in different areas of the country, language training and bespoke job search assistance. 

With further immigration reform expected later this year, this report recommends that the Government makes a formal evaluation of all programmes and policies related to refugees. The evidence-based approach taken by other high-income countries, including France, Switzerland and the United States, provides a number of examples of best practice of successful refugee integration that could also improve the employment prospects of new arrivals in the UK. 

David Simmonds CBE MP expressed support for exploring the evidence-based findings in this report:

“There is a danger that refugees can become a burden on local communities, not because they are burdensome but because we have not set them up for success. At a time when public spending is likely to come under increased scrutiny, we need to harness the skills and talents of everyone in our country to enable successful integration and to prevent wasting taxpayers’ money”.

The upcoming virtual event from RAMP and the APPG on Migration will hear from the report authors Dr Carlos Vargas-Silva and Dr Isabel Ruiz as well as Richard Fuller (MP for North East Bedfordshire), Hannah Gregory (Deputy Director, Integration & Community Sponsorship: Resettlement, Asylum Support & Integration Directorate, Home Office) and Fuad Mahamed (CEO of Ashley Community Housing). Please see registration details here.

This report was produced by COMPAS and the Good Faith Partnership, with funding from Unbound Philanthropy and the Migration Foundation.