Kirk leader urges end to ‘xenophobic’ migration policies

The Church of Scotland has called on the UK Government to scrap any policy that “exploits people’s fears of the outsider”.

The Very Rev Susan Brown, convener of the Faith Impact Forum, spoke out ahead of the announcement of a new Sovereign Borders Bill in the Queen’s Speech.

The proposals, set out in a consultation paper called the “New Plan for Immigration”, are expected to overhaul the asylum system in an attempt to deter migrants from crossing the Channel.

Home Secretary Priti Patel previously vowed to tackle “illegal migration head-on” and insisted the plan will be “fair but firm”.

But ahead of the speech, Dr Brown said: “Our congregations and communities across Scotland are enriched by the contribution and presence of people from all over the world, including asylum seekers and refugees.

“As a church, we proclaim a message that ‘all are welcome’ and that it is important that those who are in a position to offer assistance and sanctuary to fellow human beings in need should do so.

“It is why we are urging the government to think again and listen to asylum seekers and refugees, organisations that support them and people in receiving communities working to provide welcome and friendship.”

The Kirk also gave its backing to a new campaign called Together With Refugees, which was launched by the Asylum Reform Initiative yesterday.

Coalition partners include Asylum Matters, British Red Cross, Freedom from Torture, Refugee Action, the Scottish Refugee Council and more.

Dr Brown added: “UK Government ministers might wish for people to stop trying to cross the English Channel but when there is still conflict and injustice in the world then there will always be those wanting to seek sanctuary from war and suffering. We cannot close the door and instead we need to call out this policy for what it is – xenophobic populism which exploits people’s fears of the outsider.

“What we need is political leadership which acknowledges and allays people’s concerns and promotes the importance of human life and dignity.

“This means giving asylum seekers the right to work, ending the use of barracks and hotels for accommodation.

“Establishing safe passage routes or humanitarian corridors to the UK for those that need sanctuary, putting a time limit of 28 days for how long someone can be held in immigration detention and increasing support for individuals to alleviate destitution and poverty.”

“It is why we are urging Government to think again

SPEAKING OUT: The Very Rev Susan Brown called on the UK Government not to “close the door” on desperate people.