The operation of the  UK's hostile environment immigration policy is at odds with its stated desire to curb modern slavery and trafficking, and to protect refugees and those who are in need of protection. It is directly affecting Afghans who are seeking protection in the UK. But it has also directly impacted on a group of British citizens who formed part of the Windrush generation: individuals who had lived in the UK for decades. How this happened has been the subject of an independent report by Wendy Williams, investigative journalism, and in some cases has culminated in legal challenges, made all the more difficult by the lack of legal aid. Festival director and barrister Samantha Knights QC will be in conversation with solicitor Dr Connie Sozi who has represented a number of the Windrush generation in their court cases and academic Maya Goodfellow, author of Hostile Environment. They will be discussing amongst other matters the origins of the hostile environment, how it works in practice, and how the Windrush scandal happened. They will also look at the current situation with Afghans seeking protection.

Connie Sozi and Maya Goodfellow on Hostile Environment & Windrush