Influential women urge Labour to include asylum seekers in plan to tackle violence

In a letter to the government, over 50 influential women, including celebrities and public figures, have urged the Labour party to include asylum seekers in their plan to tackle violence against women and girls. The letter warns of the risk of creating a "two-tier" system if tens of thousands of female asylum seekers are excluded from the proposed measures. Labour has pledged to halve violence against women and girls in the next decade and is expected to release its strategy in September. The letter suggests several measures to address the issue, such as fast-tracking asylum claims for women from high grant-rate countries, reforming asylum accommodation to provide safe housing, and lifting the ban on work for women seeking asylum to prevent further exploitation and harm. The letter highlights the need for a comprehensive and inclusive approach to tackling violence against women and girls, ensuring that all vulnerable groups, including female asylum seekers, are supported and protected.