The government is “frustrating” refugees fleeing Ukraine and other dangerous or oppressive countries, say Whitley Bay activists.

On Monday, a crowd of people dressed in orange, carrying orange flags and paper hearts, gathered outside Spanish City as part of a nationwide demonstration in support of refugees around the world. The protests came ahead of Tuesday’s Commons vote on the controversial Nationality and Borders Bill, which aims to penalize asylum seekers who enter the UK without prior permission.

As millions flee the invading Russian forces, the government has called on individuals to open their homes and “sponsor” Ukrainian refugees. But critics say attempts to help Ukrainians are being undermined by attempts to pass the “cruel” new bill, which has been criticized by the UN refugee agency.

Read more: A Newcastle man’s heartbreaking journey across the Ukrainian border bringing aid

At the Whitley Bay event, the Ukrainian flag was raised as people placed orange hearts saying ‘refugees welcome’ as well as ‘peace’ and ‘safety’ in flower beds. North Tyneside Mayor Norma Redfearn addressed the crowd and music, including the Ukrainian national anthem, was played.

Hannah Barnes, of the West End Refugee Service (WERS), accused the government of “relying on the kindness of the public to prop up its broken asylum system”. While welcoming the Houses for Ukraine scheme, she said a better system was needed for all asylum seekers – and the government could not expect people fleeing war and persecution fill out papers and wait for permission to seek safety.

She told the crowd: “It was really heartening to see the incredible public support across the UK for people fleeing war in Ukraine. The number of people offering support to refugees is phenomenal. Today is the proof.

“This generosity has not been reflected in our government’s response to recent events. Currently, our government is failing Ukrainians and all other refugees.

“The past few weeks have served as a stark reminder of what it can be like to flee persecution and seek refuge. Chaotic, traumatic, fast-paced, uncertain and terrifying. Another powerful reminder of the enormous importance of maintaining a refugee system in the UK which is compassionate and caring and is open to anyone who comes to seek refuge here; it is not about paperwork and processes, visas, but above all it is about offer protection.

“We don’t have a good system in the UK – it’s broken, people wait years for a decision and live on £5 a day, unable to work. Many people find themselves destitute under this process. WERS works with people around the world who experience incredible difficulties once they arrive in the UK – a place where they should feel safe and supported.”

She said the ‘cruel’ bill contravenes the UN Refugee Convention by penalizing refugees for their pattern of travel, ‘criminalising’ those seeking safety.

She added: “Finally, this government is essentially offering different support to different people and that is not acceptable. Refugee protection is a matter of shared humanity, not nationality. We need to offer a more compassionate, equitable approach. that reflects who we are and that we can be proud of. We can all use our voices to make this happen.

Her calls for a more respectful system for those awaiting an asylum decision were echoed by Sadia, a refugee and member of community campaign group WERS, who said all asylum seekers should be allowed to contribute their skills working while they wait for a decision on their status.

She said, “People who come here for safety are fleeing all forms of oppression and persecution. Every asylum seeker deserves the same respect, a warm welcome from the local population and equal opportunities here.

“Much of what is covered in the media does not show the reality of what is happening in the asylum system and for the people in it. Many asylum seekers are educated and they have skills, they are just waiting for the Ministry of the Interior to change the law and give them [the] right to work while they are in the asylum procedure, which can take years and years.

The Nationality and Borders Bill returns to the House of Commons on Tuesday after being rejected by the Lords. The government claimed the bill created a “tough but fair” process for the UK to “take full control of its borders” in a post-Brexit world.