Social workers unite to fight section nine

Social workers have pledged to build a national campaign against implementation of section nine and other legislation that makes asylum seekers destitute or violates their human rights.

Nearly 200 people at a conference in Manchester organised by campaigners for the Sukula family, who have had their benefits withdrawn and been issued with a section nine notice, backed calls for a resolution opposing the measures to be tabled at Unison’s national conference.

Unison’s north-west region council has already agreed to support all social workers who refuse to co-operate with the policy.

Nushra Mapstone, professional officer for the British Association of Social Workers, said it, too, would support any worker who wanted to challenge section nine instructions.

But she was concerned that other measures, such as the increased use of detention centres, could replace the policy if it was withdrawn.