The government wants to link volunteering to faster asylum settlement. This risks turning a voluntary act into a requirement.
The home secretary has proposed linking civic participation to settlement status under a new contribution-based settlement model, aimed at reducing net migration.
Instead of people gaining settlement automatically after a fixed period, the proposals would require them to show contribution to life in the UK. This could include volunteering in their local communities.
After a baseline 10-year qualifying period, settlement could be granted three to five years earlier to people who have volunteered extensively.
Volunteering should always be a free and positive choice.
If volunteering becomes a requirement for immigration outcomes, it stops being voluntary. People would be under pressure to volunteer because it could affect their immigration status, regardless of whether roles are suitable, accessible or safe.
It risks exploiting people who are already in vulnerable situations and undermines the values that volunteering is built on.
In a society facing deep divisions, government and civil society need to work together in the spirit of the Civil Society Covenant towards shared goals.
Linking volunteering to settlement undermines that principle.
It turns a civic good into something people feel forced to do, placing additional pressure on an already marginalised group and an overstretched voluntary sector.
Charities could also face significant practical challenges. They may be expected to create and manage more volunteering opportunities, track participation and provide evidence of involvement for immigration decisions.
This would add new administrative, safeguarding and reporting burdens.
Many charities would need paid staff to manage this work, adding unfunded costs at a time of rising expenses, reduced funding and rising demand for their services.
We believe volunteering should never be a requirement for immigration status.
Through the consultation, we are calling for the government to withdraw this proposal and work with the voluntary sector on approaches that remove barriers to volunteering instead.
This includes investing in support and infrastructure so people who want to volunteer can do so freely, safely and in ways that work for communities and charities.
This requires collective involvement. We are helping members and partners across the sector by:
We are preparing our response to the consultation and want it to reflect the experiences of charities across the sector.
Complete this form and tell us how these proposals could affect your organisation, particularly your ability to involve volunteers safely and effectively.
If you have any questions, email policy@ncvo.org.uk.
