Campaign launched to boost support for asylum seekers
It’s claimed more than 200 asylum seekers are living off £2 a day in Tyne and Wear.
A campaign has launched in the Tyne and Wear this week challenging people to cut down their weekly budget to that of some asylum seekers in our region – just £15.
Now that's not just food; it's transport, clothes and basic items like toilet roll and toothpaste. Things most of us take for granted.
This week we're being urged to try living off £2 a day, for just a taste of what these people are going through.
Action Foundation, based in Newcastle, reveal that more than 200 asylum seekers here live off that charity funded budget every day, some have been doing it for years.
Yasine is one of many asylum seekers here who've been refused government support...
‘When I have £15, I finish it in 2 days. After that I have to find some places where I can get free food. Every week it’s like that, it’s very hard for me.’
Action Foundation are behind the 15 for 7 campaign and we spoke to their Chief Executive Julien Prior, who is taking on the challenge for himself.
‘I couldn’t afford to buy toilet roll and shampoo, so which one of those do you choose?! Those are some of the choices that people have to make in this situation... So it’s very difficult indeed.’
You can find out what Julian is living off this week on our twitter feed @metroradionews