13 January 2026
Why the government’s asylum proposals are bad for volunteering
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.
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.
The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) is preparing their response to the consultation and want it to reflect the experiences of charities across the sector.
Complete this form and tell NCVO how these proposals could affect your organisation, particularly your ability to involve volunteers safely and effectively.