June 4, 2018

Neil O’Brien, the newly elected MP for Harborough, led a panel of MPs, NGO Chiefs, and refugees as they sought to identify the causes of isolation in refugees and asylum seekers, as part of the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness’ latest project. In the few short months since being elected, O’Brien has already had to deal with many issues related to refugees and isolation in his own constituency. “I’ve been struck by their desire to contribute to our society. To work, to help people, and to learn. But I have also been struck by the many barriers that stop those refugees from doing so. They range from the absence of family networks, the difficulty in learning a new language, and the difficulties of accessing benefits.” Stephen Hale, Chief Executive of Refugee Action, argues that it is critical for both refugees and for wider society that more is done to identify […]