Southwark Council has reaffirmed its commitment to being a Borough of Sanctuary, vowing to protect vulnerable residents amidst a challenging political climate.
The Council Assembly, meeting on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, adopted a motion that explicitly states the council will not share discretionary information with the Home Office for immigration enforcement purposes. This move aims to safeguard the trust between residents and public services, ensuring that individuals do not fear approaching the council for essential support.
The motion highlighted concerns about the increasingly hostile and racist atmosphere surrounding migration in British politics,
and the sharp rise in Home Office immigration enforcement activity. It also noted the council's existing practice of not sharing discretionary information with the Home Office and committed to reviewing council systems to end any other discretionary assistance with immigration enforcement. The council currently does not share discretionary information with the Home Office for immigration enforcement purposes, as stated in the motion: To protect the firewall between Southwark services and immigration enforcement, reaffirming that Southwark does not share discretionary information with the Home Office for immigration enforcement purposes; committing not to facilitate Home Office immigration enforcement activity where there is no legal requirement to do so; and reviewing council systems, processes, contracts, data-sharing arrangements and service agreements to identify and end any other discretionary assistance with immigration enforcement.
Furthermore, the council pledged to ensure nobody in Southwark faces immigration enforcement alone,
by working with local organisations to provide clear information about rights and support following raids. These organisations include Southwark Refugee Communities Forum, migrant and refugee organisations, the voluntary and community sector, faith groups and specialist advice organisations.
The motion also emphasized the importance of protecting families and communities from displacement, ensuring that established support networks are considered in relevant decision-making processes. To achieve this, the council will consider the impact on established migrant and refugee communities, including the loss of family, school, faith, cultural and support networks, to be considered in relevant housing, regeneration and neighbourhood decision-making; and working with affected communities and the voluntary and community sector to identify practical measures to reduce displacement and preserve community networks.
The council also resolved to defend child protection and social care from immigration enforcement. Beyond making formal representations, the council will defend the integrity of child protection and social care from immigration enforcement, making formal representations during the passage of the Immigration and Asylum Bill 2026 against measures which would make access to essential support for children and families dependent on immigration compliance, or allow immigration status or enforcement objectives to override decisions based on a child's needs, welfare and best interests.
The motion also states the council will oppose proposals for physical intervention against children during enforced family returns, including restraint, carrying and handcuffing, and the temporary separation of children from their families; and to press Government to ensure that the welfare and best interests of children remain a primary consideration in every decision affecting them.
The council's commitment to these principles was formally adopted during the Council Assembly meeting on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. Further details on the council's agenda and minutes can be found in the Public reports pack and Printed minutes.