Delivering campaign strategies The UK campaign against the use of supermarket vouchers to support asylum seekers

A timeline Nov 1999 – Immigration and Asylum Act on statute book From 1 st April 2000 all asylum seekers to be supported by vouchers – no cash and no change.

Jan 2000 Oxfam signs joint letter in Guardian against the voucher scheme. Jun 2000 Oxfam produces supermarket campaign action card with quote from trade union leader Bill Morris – 50,000 cards printed

Sep 2000 Trade Unions Congress conference – Bill Morris goes shopping with an asylum seekers gaining media coverage Joint Oxfam/Refugee Council/T&G event attracts over 200 people Bill Morris moves successful motion commits TUC to campaigning against voucher scheme

Sep 2000 Labour Party conference – T&G emergency motion on vouchers comes second in ballot behind pensions Dossier of Disgrace prepared by Oxfam and Refugee Council for Bill Morris to share with Prime Minister and Home Secretary NEC statement committing to providing change and to a review of vouchers

Nov 2000 – Government announces details of vouchers review Dec 2000 – Oxfam/Refugee Council/ T&G produce report ‘Token Gestures’ on voucher scheme at the House of Commons T&G writes to every Labour MP at Christmas urging abolition of vouchers

Apr 2001 – Home Office sources confirm want to delay outcome of review until after the General Election Jun 2001 – Labour re-elected with new Home Secretary Jun 2001 – Body Shop runs campaign in 50 of its stores Jun 2001 – joint letter signed by British Medical Association and Local Government Association

July 2001 – new Oxfam/Refugee Council campaign card with research findings. 50,000 cards sent to supporters for them to write to their MP Aug 2001 – Times and Independent carry stories of rebellion at Labour conference on vouchers

Oct 2001 – Labour Party conference – delegates receive a ‘PRODUCT RECALL’ card. BMA produce dossier on health impact. T&G emergency motion tops ballot 29 th Oct 2001 Home Secretary announces voucher scheme to be scrapped

And finally th April 2002 – asylum seekers able to use cash to buy essential living goods But two years later re-emergence of vouchers for end of process asylum seekers – the so- called section 4 – the campaign continued...