The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said the UK had taken insufficient action to protect migrants and asylum seekers from poverty and to meet UN human-rights recommendations. It criticised changes to asylum support, restrictions on benefit access and the end of a refugee employment scheme, prompting strong opposition from Conservative politicians and Migration Watch UK, who argued that broader support could encourage further irregular migration.

The EHRC gave the UK its lowest assessment, describing action as “inconsistent”, in a review of 57 UK and Welsh government responses to UN recommendations. It highlighted the ending of the Refugee Employability Programme, changes to duties to support asylum seekers at risk of destitution, and consultation on extending “no recourse to public funds” rules to some people with indefinite leave to remain; critics cited small-boat arrivals and accommodation provision as context for their objections.