The Truth About Britain’s Asylum System | Kelda Louise |

What is the reality of Britain’s asylum system — and how different is it from what we hear in politics and the media? In this episode of Utter Politics, Alex Perkas and Joe Willoughby are joined by immigration caseworker Kelda Louise, who works for a charity supporting asylum seekers, refugees and others navigating the UK immigration system. We discuss what actually happens when someone claims asylum in Britain, the work immigration charities do, asylum accommodation, access to legal advice, common misconceptions surrounding refugees, integration into British society, and the pressures facing those working within the system. We also get into some of the biggest political debates surrounding immigration: small boat crossings, claims about asylum seekers destroying their documents, the difference between legal and illegal immigration, asylum hotels, safe routes, political rhetoric, and whether the public conversation around immigration has become increasingly hostile. Kelda also shares her experiences working directly with asylum seekers and refugees — including the human stories that rarely make it into political debates.