More than 20 senior faith leaders from across the UK’s Christian, Jewish, and Muslim communities have united to sign an open letter, urging the Prime Minister to rethink the Government’s recent rhetoric around migration. The letter, which was signed by leaders from the Baptist, Methodist, United Reformed Churches and the Church of Scotland, follows the publication of the White Paper on immigration on Monday 12 May.
The letter was led by a growing steering group of leaders from different faiths and denominations who are working together for a more compassionate refugee policy and narrative. The signatories offered a timely reminder rooted in their lived experiences as faith leaders, that ‘we see that real and lasting integration comes through building relationships. It is through sharing experiences that we come to recognise our common humanity.’
Be a part of sharing experiences, having conversations and building relationships by taking part in Refugee Week 2025.
Read Alex’s reflections on the White Paper here.
Read the full letter below:
Dear Prime Minister,
Re: The Government’s recent rhetoric on migration – our call for a more compassionate narrative
We are writing as faith leaders to ask you to reconsider the language the government uses when discussing migration, following the rhetoric used to announce the Immigration White Paper earlier this week.
Our concern is that the current narrative, which presents only one side of the debate, will only drive public anxiety and entrench polarization. When you refer to the “incalculable” damage done by uncontrolled migration, you are in danger of harming migrant members of our communities and strengthening those who would divide us.
We recognise that there is public concern around migration and what it means for our society, which of course must be addressed. But this must be done in a way which is principled, and lowers the temperature of the debate, respecting the dignity of all who make up our nation. People have come to the UK under the rules set by successive governments, paying whatever fees and surcharges, to work, contribute and pay taxes. Framing this as somehow unfair only feeds the politics of grievance and division.
In our work as faith leaders, we see that real and lasting integration comes through building relationships. It is through sharing experiences that we come to recognise our common humanity. We urge the government to think more holistically and positively about fostering good integration; the recommendations of several government-commissioned reviews into integration remain on the shelf.
In the context of a genuine debate on migration, we are appealing to you to also affirm those things that would bring us together, across our diversity. Only by doing so can we actually fix the systemic problems faced by those within our current asylum system and humanitarian protection schemes. Promoting fair policies that balance the needs of host communities with real opportunities for people restarting their lives after fleeing war, conflict, and persecution is a necessary start.
Finally, we wish to speak up for all those whose voices are rarely heard in these debates but who have been at the sharp end of recent rhetoric. These include many from within our own faith communities who have built new homes and lives in the UK, becoming part of our national story and fabric. Our country would be so much poorer without them.
Yours sincerely,
Imam Qari Asim
Revd Helen Cameron and Mrs Carolyn Godfrey, President and Vice-President of the Methodist Conference
Rt Revd Lord Bishop of Bristol
Rt Revd Lord Bishop of Chelmsford
Rt Revd Lord Bishop of Gloucester
Rt Revd Lord Bishop of Leeds
Rt Revd Lord Bishop of Leicester
Rt Revd Lord Bishop of Lichfield
Rt Revd Lord Bishop of Lincoln
The Rt Revd & Rt Hon. The Lord Bishop of London
Rt Revd Lord Bishop of Manchester
Rt Revd Lord Bishop of St Albans
Rt Revd Lord Bishop of Sheffield
Rt Revd Lord Bishop of Southwark
Rt Revd Lord Bishop of Winchester
Revd. Lynn Green, General Secretary of The Baptist Union of Great Britain
Rabbi David Mason, Executive Director, HIAS+JCORE
Revd Tim Meadows, Moderator of General Assembly, The United Reformed Church
Esther Moodie, Scottish Faiths Action for Refugees
Major Dr Paul Robinson, The Salvation Army
Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, Senior Rabbi, Masorti Judaism
Rabbi Anna Wolfson, Co Chair, Assembly Liberal Judaism