Bishop urges government to reconsider immigration reform

‘I appeal to our political leaders, of all parties, whom we have entrusted with shaping the future of our country, to refrain from using rhetoric that risks sowing mistrust, fear, or division.’

A leading bishop has voiced concerns over the government’s proposed immigration reforms.

The Home Office set out plans to reduce immigration in the UK in a white paper published on 12 May, titled “Restoring Control over the Immigration System”.

Proposed measures included raising the skill level required for overseas workers and sponsorship, ending overseas recruitment of social care workers, increasing the difficulty of English tests for immigrants on work visas and doubling the residency requirement for settlement from five to ten years.

Bishop Paul McAleenan, lead bishop for migrants and refugees for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, has urged the government to “carefully consider its approach to so-called ‘low-skilled work’ which is often carried out by those who come from abroad” in response to the white paper.

“The essential work carried out every day by people in low-paid, low-skilled roles must be recognised and valued,” he continued, “Without their contribution, dedication and hard work, our hospitals, schools, and care homes might not be able to function.”

This came after 30 senior faith leaders from across the UK’s Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities signed an open letter, urging the Prime Minister to “reconsider the language the government uses when discussing migration” following the rhetoric used in the white paper.

In the paper’s foreword, Sir Keir Starmer said that inward migration had “exploded” by four times since 2019, and that the consequent “damage done to our country” was “incalculable”.

The signatories deemed the rhetoric as having the potential to “harm migrant members of our communities and strengthen 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,” they said, “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.”

Bishop McAleenan said: “I also appeal to our political leaders, of all parties, whom we have entrusted with shaping the future of our country, to refrain from using rhetoric that risks sowing mistrust, fear, or division. Such language is unhelpful and serves only to create unnecessary fractures within our communities.”

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