Over 100 groups, including Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard, urge BBC and government to end "harmful narratives"

Groups including Rainbow Migration, Micro Rainbow, Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard and LGBT Foundation said they were "concerned" about a recent BBC investigation into immigration and asylum advice, arguing that it focused on a small number of individuals providing fraudulent guidance and risked presenting those cases as evidence of a wider, systemic problem. In a joint statement, the organisations said this approach failed to reflect the “well‑documented, everyday experiences” of the people they support and could contribute to increased hostility towards already marginalised communities.

The organisations highlighted what they describe as significant pressures within the immigration and asylum system, saying it is often complex and distressing to navigate without specialist advice. They pointed to reductions in legal aid funding over the past decade, which they say have left many people without access to reliable legal representation. The statement also emphasised the particular challenges faced by LGBTQ+ asylum seekers, noting that same‑sex relationships remain criminalised in dozens of countries, as well as by survivors of domestic abuse, for whom immigration status can be critical to escaping violence and securing safety.

The groups warned that reporting which focuses heavily on alleged abuse of the system risks discouraging vulnerable people from seeking help or applying for asylum, potentially placing them at further risk. They called for what they termed more responsible reporting that scrutinises systemic issues and centres the perspectives of those affected. Alongside this, they urged the government to improve access to quality immigration advice by properly funding the legal aid system and reducing barriers that make it difficult for applicants to be believed and supported.

The BBC has previously said its investigations aim to expose wrongdoing in the public interest, while the government has maintained that reforms to the asylum and immigration system are intended to ensure fairness and prevent abuse.

The full joint statement can be found here.