To: Shabana Mahmood, home secretary

The plan to take jewellery from refugees is a new low for the Labour government.

In a dark echo of history, they plan to confiscate the few meagre possessions that people fleeing war have managed to keep with them.

This policy doesn’t solve any real problem – it is just performative cruelty designed to appeal to racists.

It is part of a wider package of anti-asylum measures including making refugees re-apply every 2.5 years.

Instead, the government should open safe routes for refugees and fund proper processing of applications to clear the backlog and get people out of hotel accommodation.

Stop scapegoating refugees and migrants for Britain’s problems and fight the far right instead of stealing their policies.

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Highlighted comments

This is really scraping the bottom of the barrel – how unbearably wrong this is…

Beki, Cornwall

I cannot think of a single defensible reason for the taking of jewellery or other possessions from displaced people seeking safety in our once-welcoming country – shameful!

Hilary, Brighton

This is just more inhumanity stacked atop a pile of other inhumanities. Truly absurd.

Josh, Lancashire

The government’s whole knee-jerk reset is clearly aimed at pacifying vocal racists.

Penny, Norfolk

I am saddened, sickened and appalled by this proposal. Shame on you Labour!

Maxine, Salford

I’m appalled. This really is a new low.

Louise, Bradford