EDI News

Tag: immigration

  • Celebrating South Asian Heritage Month 2025: Honouring Culture, Identity & Legacy

     

    Every year from July 18 to August 17, we celebrate South Asian Heritage Month—a time to honour the rich tapestry of cultures, histories, and contributions of people with roots in South Asia. This includes communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

    The theme for South Asian Heritage Month in 2025 is “Roots to Routes“. This theme explores the journeys that shape South Asian identities, focusing on how migration, heritage, and personal stories influence who we are today.

    Award winning Journalist, Broadcaster and Author Babita Sharma is a Patron of the South Asian Heritage Trust. Her first book, The Corner Shop (followed her BBC documentary ‘Booze, Beans & Bhajis: The Story of the Corner Shop’), is a brilliant look at “Roots to Routes”, chronicling the human stories behind the British corner shop. It explores part of British Asian life that is often stereotyped but plays a crucial part in British life and communities.

    Many South Asian communities have shaped the social, cultural, and economic fabric of the UK and beyond. From the arts and sciences to politics, cuisine, and activism, their influence is woven into everyday life.

    This month is not just about celebration—it’s also about reflection, education, and empowerment. It’s a chance to:

    • Celebrate identity: Embrace the diversity within South Asian cultures, languages, and traditions.
    • Share stories: Honour the journeys of migration, resilience, and belonging.
    • Challenge stereotypes: Break down misconceptions and amplify underrepresented voices.
    • Build solidarity: Connect across communities and generations.

    In the workplace, this month is also a great opportunity to celebrate colleagues of South Asian heritage, to learn about their culture and stories to increase understanding and create a better sense of inclusion and belonging.

    Here are a few ways you can get involved this month:

    • Host or attend local events: From Lunch and Learns, Indian head massage workshops or yoga sessions, film screenings to panel discussions, there are many community-led events happening across the UK.
    • Explore the cuisine: Team lunches, trying different South Asian cuisines. Or why not try cooking a dish from a different South Asian country each week.
    • Read South Asian authors: Dive into works by writers like Arundhati Roy, Kamila Shamsie, Nikesh Shukla, Hira Ali, Moni Mohsin or Babita Sharma.
    • Educate yourself and others: Learn about the history of South Asian migration, colonialism, and the contributions of South Asians in the UK and in your community. The Migration Museum in London makes for a great day out!
    • Visit https://southasianheritage.org.uk/ for more ideas.

    South Asian Heritage Month is a celebration of identity, resilience, and joy. It’s a reminder that heritage is not just about the past—it’s about how we carry it forward, shape it, and share it with others.

    Let’s use this month to listen, learn, and uplift. Because when we honour each other’s stories, we build a more inclusive and compassionate world and workplace.

    We’re celebrating and thanking our Partners, our Team, Panel and Community Members, our network, friends and family of South Asian Heritage who help make EDI Accreditation Ltd what we are – Ajay Mistry ACMA, Aliya Mohammed, Asma Aziz , Asmina IslamChowdhury, Babita Sharma, Deepak Klair, Hana Hussain, Hira Ali, Jay Jupp, Kamran Mallick, Karima Moustafa, Kiran Nar, Mo Kanjilal, Nasser Arif, Poppy Jaman OBE, Hon.PhD, MBA. Rab Bassi, Ritika Wadhwa, Rohit Sagoo QN, Sal Naseem FRSA, Sky Rakhra – Assoc. CIPD, Shabna Begum4windrush.org/

  • Honouring the Windrush Generation: Celebration, Legacy, Contribution, and Scandal

     

    Today marks the 77th anniversary of the arrival of the HMT Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks in Essex. Onboard were over 1,000 passengers, more than 800 of them from Caribbean nations such as Jamaica, Trinidad, and Barbados.

    They were the first of tens of thousands of workers who came to Britain as citizens of the UK and Colonies, invited to help rebuild the country after World War II. This moment marked the beginning of what would become known as the Windrush Generation—a group whose legacy is deeply woven into the fabric of modern Britain and the families of EDI Accreditation founders too.

     A Legacy of Contribution

    The Windrush Generation played a pivotal role in shaping post-war Britain. They filled critical labour shortages, working in sectors such as:

    Healthcare: Many became nurses and support staff in the newly formed NHS.

    Transport: Others worked as bus drivers, conductors, and railway workers.

    Construction and Industry: They helped build the infrastructure of a recovering nation.

    Beyond their economic contributions, the Windrush Generation enriched British culture through music, food, literature, and activism.

    Despite having been invited to the UK, promised opportunities for a better life, many people faced discrimination, hostility and hardship when they arrived.

    The stories of our own families, arriving here as teenagers full of hope and optimism are hard to hear, but inspiring. Gruelling shift work, families living in one room, facing daily racism and abuse, it is a wonder they stayed at all. But we are so glad they did and are thankful for our rich history and fantastic families, because of their determination and sacrifice.

     The Windrush Scandal: A Betrayal of Trust

    Despite their contributions, many members of the Windrush Generation faced a devastating betrayal decades later. In 2018, it emerged that hundreds of long-term UK residents—many of whom had arrived as children—were wrongly detained, denied healthcare, employment, and housing, and even deported by the Home Office.

    The Windrush Scandal was the result of the UK’s “hostile environment” immigration policies, which required individuals to prove their right to live in the UK. Many Windrush migrants, having arrived as British citizens, had never been issued formal documentation. The scandal prompted public outrage and led to the resignation of then-Home Secretary Amber Rudd.

    An independent report by Wendy Williams in March 2020 described the scandal as “foreseeable and avoidable,” highlighting systemic failures and institutional racism.

    In 2024 a review, also conducted by Williams, released after legal pressure, concluded that over 30 years of racist immigration legislation directly contributed to the Windrush Scandal.

    The report found that:

    Immigration laws were deliberately designed to exclude people of colour, particularly those from the Caribbean and other former colonies.

    These policies were not race-neutral; they were shaped by a post-imperial mindset that sought to limit non-white immigration while maintaining economic benefits from former colonies.

    Despite a formal apology from the UK Government and the creation of the Windrush Compensation Scheme, many affected people are still awaiting full compensation and justice. With Professor Patrick Vernon OBE FrHistS, who campaigned for the national day of recognition calling for a public inquiry into the Windrush Scandal.

    Commemoration and Moving Forward

    In response to the scandal, the UK government established Windrush Day to honour the Windrush Generation and their descendants. Initiatives like the Windrush Day Grant Scheme and the unveiling of the National Windrush Monument at Waterloo Station in 2022 aim to preserve their legacy and educate future generations, but whilst so many are still fighting for justice, this feels performative and tokenistic.

    So, as we commemorate the 77th anniversary, and give thanks for our families sacrifices and strength, it is not only a time to celebrate the Windrush Generation’s contributions, but a time to remind people of the ongoing fight for racial justice for the Windrush Generation and their descendants. You can support the fight here: https://justice4windrush.org/

  • Refugee Week 2025

     

    This week is Refugee Week in the UK.

    Refugees and asylum seekers are often a contentious topic, being used and manipulated by some political parties to win votes. But they are not a “topic” they are people.

    At times of economic hardship, it is easy to look for someone to blame. However, the story we are being fed about refugees is nonsense.

    As the UK continues to debate immigration policy, one narrative conveniently overlooked is the positive economic impact of refugees. Far from being a burden, refugees contribute significantly to the UK’s economy—through work, entrepreneurship, taxes, and cultural enrichment.

    Refugees Fill Critical Labour Gaps

    In sectors like healthcare, social care, agriculture, and hospitality, refugees often take on roles that are hard to fill. Many arrive with professional skills and qualifications, and with the right support, they integrate quickly into the workforce. According to the Migration Observatory, immigrants—including refugees—have a net positive fiscal impact over time, especially when they are able to work and contribute taxes.

    The UK government’s 2025 immigration reforms, outlined in the white paper Restoring Control over the Immigration System, have been framed as a necessary recalibration of national sovereignty and fairness. But behind the rhetoric lies a system that many human rights advocates describe as cruel and dehumanising.

    Among the most alarming changes is the prohibition of citizenship for anyone arriving via irregular routes, including small boat crossings. This effectively bars thousands of refugees—many of whom are fleeing war, persecution, or trafficking—from ever becoming British citizens, regardless of their need or the legitimacy of their asylum claims.

    The reforms also extend the path to settlement from five to ten years, leaving even long-term residents—teachers, NHS staff, care workers—in a prolonged state of legal limbo. The message is clear: belonging must be “earned,” but the criteria are arbitrary and exclusionary.

    Victims of modern slavery now face stricter evidentiary requirements to access support, with rejection rates soaring. The government’s approach treats survivors as security risks rather than individuals in need of protection.

    Entrepreneurship and Innovation

    Refugees are twice as likely to start businesses as native-born citizens. Sadly, because of discrimination against refugees, it is often harder for them to secure appropriate employment (there are many examples of highly qualified doctors, lawyers, engineers having to accept manual or low skilled jobs) so becoming a business owner is preferrable. These businesses not only create jobs but also stimulate local economies. From restaurants and tech startups to retail shops and logistics firms, refugee-led enterprises are thriving across the UK.

    Boosting Local Economies

    Refugees are often forced to settle in areas facing economic decline. Their presence can revitalise communities, increase demand for housing and services, and bring new life to high streets. According to the Migration Exchange report, the growth of refugee-focused charities and services has also been linked to broader community development.

    Long-Term Fiscal Gains

    While initial support costs exist, studies show that over time, refugees contribute more in taxes than they receive in benefits. A 2025 report by the UK Parliament notes that although in-donor refugee costs have risen, the long-term economic integration of refugees offsets these expenses.

    A Time for Solidarity Amid Hostile Borders

    Welcoming refugees is not just a moral imperative—it’s also an economic opportunity. With the right policies—access to work, training, and legal stability—refugees can and do thrive. And when they do, so does the UK.

    Each year, Refugee Week offers a moment of reflection, celebration, and solidarity for people who have been forced to flee their homes. In this climate, Refugee Week is more vital than ever. It is a reminder that refugees are not statistics or threats—they are people. People with dreams, talents, and the right to live in safety and dignity.

    This week let’s amplify refugee voices, challenge harmful narratives, and demand policies rooted in compassion and justice. Let’s remind our leaders that human rights are not optional, and that the UK’s strength lies not in exclusion, but in its capacity to welcome.

    Visit Refugee Week to find out how to get involved with their Simple Acts and resources. Or, Channel 4 recently aired the documentary Go Back to Where You Came From, where six British people got to experience refugee life, if you do nothing else, please take a watch and remember the human beings behind the headlines.