Senior faith leaders urge new PM to rethink refugee and asylum policy

Almost 40 senior faith leaders from across the UK’s Christian, Jewish, and Muslim communities have united to sign an open letter urging the new Prime Minister Andy Burnham to rethink the Government’s asylum policy agenda.

Together, the leaders warn that the UK’s current approach risks damaging social cohesion.

Signatories include Imam Qari Asim; The Rt Revd Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, Bishop of Chelmsford; Revd Lynn Green, General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain; Imam Dr Sayed Razawi OBE; Revd Mark Slaney, President of the Methodist Conference; Rt Revd Dr Pete Wilcox, Bishop of Sheffield; and Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg.

Representatives from the Church of Scotland, Faith Network for Manchester, Jesuit Refugee Service UK, the Scottish Faith Action for Refugees, and the United Reformed Church were also among those who signed.

At a time of rising antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other hate crimes, the letter is an important show of interfaith solidarity.

The faith leaders stress their deep concern “that our society’s unity and cohesion are increasingly under threat”, sharing their “hurt for this division and for those affected by recent unrest and violence in Southampton, Belfast, and Edinburgh.”

They continue by warning:

Instead, they remind the new Prime Minister that “those fleeing persecution are no different to us”.

The intervention comes as the new Government prepares to advance policy changes outlined in the Restoring Control over the Immigration System white paper and the new Immigration and Asylum Bill.

The Bill had its second reading in Parliament last week, despite almost 80 Labour MPs having signed a private letter to Andy Burnham MP pushing him to shift course.

While acknowledging the need for a “managed and equitable asylum system”, the signatories state that “we do not believe that subjecting refugees and people seeking asylum to endless cycles of uncertainty, unnavigable support systems, and painfully long routes to settlement achieves this.”

Criticising the refugee settlement reforms, the leaders also assert that these “threaten to harm integration and risk deepening a sense of us and them.”

They conclude with a series of policy asks, calling on the new Prime Minister to fully reinstate refugee family reunion rights, reverse the 30-month protection model, and return to a five-year route to settlement for refugees.

The letter was led by a steering group of leaders from different faiths and denominations, and co-ordinated by HIAS+JCORE.

Full letter text

Dear Prime Minister,

Re: Our values urge a fresh start on refugee policy

Congratulations on your appointment as the new leader of our country.

We write to you as faith leaders from across the United Kingdom at a moment of renewed responsibility. As you take office, we urge you to reconsider implementing immigration reforms set out in the Restoring Control over the Immigration System white paper and the Immigration and Asylum Bill 2026.

Our faiths teach us to welcome the stranger as new neighbours. As such, when displaced people turn to our communities for support, we open our doors. We know that those fleeing persecution are no different to us. They want to live in safety, contribute to their communities, and build a good life for their families.

Our communities show us the strength of diversity. That gives us so much hope at a time when it can seem as if the voices seeking to divide us are louder than those that want to keep us together.

However, recent events have made clear that our society’s unity and cohesion are increasingly under threat. We hurt for this division and for those affected by recent unrest and violence in Southampton, Belfast, and Edinburgh.

At this critical time, the Government must play its part too. We cannot afford for our leadership to enable a narrative that tells society refugees are the problem.

We understand the need for a managed and equitable asylum system. However, we do not believe that subjecting refugees and people seeking asylum to endless cycles of uncertainty, unnavigable support systems, and painfully long routes to settlement achieves this. Instead, refugee settlement reforms undermine social cohesion, threaten to harm integration, and risk deepening a sense of us and them.

As you enter office, we urge you to show leadership that reflects the values of the British public: respect, compassion, and partnership.

We know there is another path where a controlled system respects the dignity and humanity of those in it. Where refugees are given a fair route to settlement, where families can be together, and where citizenship is within reach.

We hope, amongst wider reforms, you will:

– Reinstate refugee family reunion in full
– Reinstate the five-year route to settlement for refugees
– Reverse the 30-month protection model
– Allow all refugees a fair chance to access citizenship, regardless of how they arrived to this country

This is a moment to choose what kind of country we are. Guided by our values, we stand ready to work with you to build that future together.

Yours sincerely,

Imam Qari Asim, UK Muslim Network
The Rt Revd Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, Bishop of Chelmsford
Revd Lynn Green, General Secretary, The Baptist Union of Great Britain
Rabbi David Mason, Executive Director, HIAS+JCORE
Imam Dr Sayed Razawi OBE
Revd Mark Slaney, President of the Methodist Conference
Caroline Stead, Vice-President of the Methodist Conference
Revd Neil Thorogood, Moderator of the United Reformed Church General Assembly
Rt Revd Dr Pete Wilcox, Bishop of Sheffield
Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg

Rabbi Robyn Ashworth-Steen
Rev Inderjit Bhogal
Rabbi Rebecca Birk, Finchley Progressive Synagogue
Rabbi Dr Barbara Borts, Tzelem
Rev Sarah Brown, Church of Scotland
Rabbi Colin Eimer, Alyth Synagogue
Rabbi Warren Elf MBE, Faith Network for Manchester and Manchester, Liverpool and Southend Reform Synagogues
Rabbi Paul Freedman, Radlett Reform Synagogue
Rabbi Naomi Goldman
Rabbi Dr Michael Hilton
Fr Michael Holman SJ, Jesuit Refugee Service UK
Rabbi Dr. Margaret Jacobi, Tzelem
Rabbi Richard Jacobi, East London and Essex Liberal Synagogue
Jill Kent, Justice and Peace Scotland
Rabbi Kamila Koprivova
Revd Matt Lunn, Muswell Hill Methodist Church
Esther Moodie, Scottish Faiths Action for Refugees
Emeritus Rabbi Jeffrey Newman
Pastor James Olanipekun, Christ Apostolic Church, Nigeria and Overseas
Rabbi Sylvia Rothschild
Dr David Ryall, Jesuit Refugee Service UK
Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah, Emeritus Rabbi, Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue
Dr Ketan Sheth, Council Member, The Faith Forum for London
Rabbi Gershon Silins, The Liberal Synagogue Elstree
Rabbi Lily Solochek
Rabbi DY Stern, Radlett Reform Synagogue
Very Revd Dr Tim Stratford, Chester Cathedral
Rabbi Daniela Thau
Rabbi Anna Wolfson