Our Mission

At GARAS (Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers) we offer support to those seeking asylum in Gloucestershire, welcoming them when they arrive, advocating for them in their daily struggles, supporting them if they face being sent back as well as helping them adjust to their long term future if they are recognised as refugees.

Contact Information

Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (GARAS)
The Trust Centre
Falkner St
Gloucester
GL1 4SQ

Telephone: 01452 550528
General enquiries: info@garas.org.uk
Administrative enquiries: admin@garas.org.uk
www.garas.org.uk

Director
Adele Owen

Changes – what changes?

December 19, 2013

It’s slightly puzzling to read in the press that from January, Europeans coming to the UK will have to wait three months before they can claim unemployment benefits.  In our experience, this is already the case!  It may come from a different point of law.  But currently, people who come here on their European passports have to be in the country for three months before they can pass the ‘Habitual Residence Test’ part of benefit claims.  This seems to be a vote winning strategy rather than anything that will make a difference in practice.