I have a family of friends who are asylum seekers. A couple of years ago, they got their visas, after waiting 13 years. I was pleased for them, but didn't know how they finally got their approval.
Today I found out that the 17 year old daughter (now 19) wrote to Priti Patel and outlined for her the trauma and mental health problems caused to the whole family by inhumanity of the process. Being moved around the country for housing, (1 bedroom for a family of 4) constant changing of schools (affecting the 17 year old's education), inability to work until they had visas, being unable to take the furniture they managed to acquire when they were transferred outside their local area.
Unbelievably, Priti Patel contacted the Home Office on behalf of the family as a direct result of the letter and authorised their visas.
The daughter told me the story today as if she'd done nothing out of the ordinary. Saved her family's security at the age of 17. I was speechless. What an amazing young woman!
New computer stolen by builder
Good Morning Thursday 7th May 2026


