Dozens of non secular leaders name on Andy Burnham to steer ‘contemporary begin’ with asylum warning

EXCLUSIVE: Senior figures from the UK’s Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities have jointly written to Andy Burnham calling for a ‘fresh start’ on asylum and saying this is a moment to choose what kind of country we are

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Senior faith leaders have called on Andy Burnham to make a “fresh start” and tear up the government’s asylum policies.

The 39 powerful figures from the UK’s Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities told the Prime Minister: “This is a moment to choose what kind of country we are.”

They warned the current approach is damaging the country’s social cohesion. In the letter, seen by The Mirror, they said: “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.”

And their letter concluded: “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.”

It comes just over a week after Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood put forward a new Immigration and Asylum Bill, with controversial measures including forcing successful asylum seekers to pay back £10,000. Ms Mahmood has proposed a string of changes to the asylum system, including forcing those granted refugee status to go through reviews every 30 months, rather than being granted permanent protection.

If their homeland is deemed to have become safe, they could be made to return. The religious leaders called for this proposal to be scrapped.

Signatories include Imam Qari Asim, chair of the Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board, the Bishops of Chelmsford and Sheffield, Rev Lynn Green, General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, and Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, one of the country’s most senior Jewish leaders.

They have also called for refugee family reunion to be reinstated in full. This was suspended in September last year, with no visa applications being processed.

And the group also urged Mr Burnham not to change current rules, under which successful asylum seekers qualify for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) after five years. Ms Mahmood wants to raise this to 20, although they could speed this up through work and study.

Rabbi David Mason, executive director at Jewish refugee charity HIAS+JCORE, said: “This is a moment to choose what kind of country we are. Andy Burnham’s appointment as Prime Minister must lead to a reset in the UK’s refuge and asylum policy.

“We hope that new leadership brings a far greater focus on our shared values of solidarity, compassion, and partnership.”

And he continued: “A change in direction is critical for social cohesion too. Far too many of our communities are facing rising hate and insecurity. We desperately need a new focus which brings people together and strengthens cohesion – we simply can’t afford not to.”

The Home Secretary argues her plans will protect the asylum system for a generation, warning that current rules are not fair. She told MPs that people should have to earn the right to settle in the UK. Last month she said: “Britain has always offered sanctuary to those fleeing war and persecution.

“But this system only survives if the public trusts that it is fair, controlled, and not open to abuse. I will open new legal routes for genuine refugees, while closing loopholes that have been too often abused. My goal is simple: to ensure we have an asylum system not just today, but for generations to come.”

But changes to asylum and immigration rules have sparked a backlash among Labour MPs, with around 80 writing to Mr Burnham earlier this month urging him to water down proposals.

And in March Angela Rayner, who returned to the Cabinet on Tuesday, branded moves to change the rules for people in the UK as “un-British”.

Dr Sayed Razawi, Chief Imam in Scotland, said: “Both a fair and well-managed immigration system and compassion for those fleeing persecution, are not competing values. As people of faith, we believe that protecting the vulnerable and maintaining the common good go hand in hand. The United Kingdom is at its best when its immigration system is orderly, just and rooted in the dignity of every human person.”

A Home Office spokesperson said: “The UK has a proud history of providing protection to those most in need, but our immigration system must balance compassion, control and contribution. That must start with protecting our borders.

“We will always offer protection to those fleeing persecution, which is why we recently announced that the rollout of new safe and legal routes for refugees will begin in the autumn.

“The Immigration and Asylum Bill will bear down on abuse of the asylum system, whilst reforming human rights laws to preserve protection for those in need.”