About the city

Lewisham (London)

How to challenge discriminatory authorities

Key Takeaways

  • 1

    The Council have expanded the meaning of sanctuary in the UK to address issues affecting migrants of all kinds, not only asylum seekers and refugees.

  • 2

    Migrants participated in designing what a sanctuary borough should look like. This allowed them to take back their political agency, and be recognised as experts in the field of migration policy.

What is unique about Lewisham?

Collaboration with local residents and organisations: Lewisham was the first local authority in London to commit to becoming a Borough of Sanctuary in 2018, and has developed strong collaborative relationships with civil society since then. In working directly with the communities affected by the ‘hostile environment’ policies, the Council have enacted change to longstanding issues in a relatively short space of time, and expanded the meaning of sanctuary politics in the UK to include migrants of all kinds. Lewisham sets an example of how local authorities can effectively respond to issues identified by migrant communities themselves.

What is the focus of local migration policies? What are the key factors?

Opposing national hostile environment policies: Lewisham’s story is one made possible by the Council’s positive response to the activism, campaigns and demands of local residents. As a result, the local authority can be seen as resisting national ‘hostile environment’ migration policies, achieving a number of small successes that improve migrants’ living conditions. Their approach is especially progressive because migrants have been directly involved in building sanctuary and shaping policy and procedural changes.

What are the greatest achievements so far?

Changes to the Council’s Social Care (NRPF) Teams: Until recently, Lewisham Council was known for aggressively deterring migrant families with ‘No Recourse to Public Funds’ (NRPF) from accessing their rights to care, housing and financial support. However, the council responded effectively to a campaign led by a group of migrant parents. They have conducted an Independent Review of their NRPF team, and now provide free legal advice to unregularised migrants and to those affected by NRPF. The Council have also received case assessment training from migrants themselves, recognising those with lived experience as experts in field of migration policy

Political activities and advocacy beyond the city level

Lewisham has helped pioneer an expansive notion of ‘sanctuary’ that advocates for the rights of all migrants. This broad remit is a significant contribution to the national sanctuary movement, which currently only focuses on asylum seekers and refugees. Lewisham’s approach more accurately captures the social complexity of large cities, where local migrants hold a range of precarious immigration statuses.

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The city report contains more information about the city’s migration and inclusion policies and selected local approaches. Report from 2021, updated in 2023.

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