Patrick Vernon

Prominent equalities campaigner Patrick Vernon described the hostile environment as a “public health disaster” in light of the thousands of people who have been affected by these policies and varying degrees of trauma experienced as a result.

“Hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people affected by these policies have experienced varieties of trauma from post-traumatic stress disorder and impact on family life to fear of losing their livelihood and the threat of deportation,” he told The Independent.

“This has had an impact on people’s minds and bodies as well.”

“The government may argue that it was necessary to have these policies to reduce net migration and to reinforce the fact that Britain is a fortress,” the campaigner continued.

“But, actually, the policies have directly impacted people who are British citizens, namely the Windrush generation, and migrant communities who are willing to work hard to contribute to Britain and yet are still stigmatised.

“This will be a stain and legacy as we look at the history and annals of 21st century Britain in the future.”

Click here to read the full article – ‘We’re human beings too’: How a decade of the hostile environment has torn lives apart written by Nadine White