As a society we have international moral and legal responsibilities to welcome those fleeing adversity from other parts of the world and provide social security. But the threat of destitution is being used as a way of pressuring refused asylum seekers to leave the country.

There are many people seeking asylum who have their cases refused but have no safe route to return or whose travel documents cause logistical problems for removal. There are also many cases where people are unjustly refused asylum.

All those within our borders - including people seeking asylum - should have the opportunity to help themselves and society through paid employment. Where this is not possible people seeking asylum, whatever their status, should be given the necessary rights to “food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services” (UN Declaration of Human Rights).

Refused asylum seekers are still human, and deserve to be treated the same, as we would expect if we had to flee to another country. We should offer the respect to our neighbours that we expect ourselves. This is at the heart of the Christian faith, and of many other religions.

We therefore call on the Government to allow people seeking asylum to sustain themselves and contribute to wider society through paid work, and where this is not possible, to re-instate 'refused' asylum seekers' entitlement to benefits until such time as they may be removed.

Yours sincerely,

Church of England
Rt Rev Dr John Sentamu
Archbishop of York

Rt Rev Peter Selby
Bishop of Worcester

Rt Rev Dr Peter Forster
Bishop of Chester

Rt Rev John Packer
Bishop of Ripon & Leeds

Rt Rev Jack Nicholls
Bishop of Sheffield

Rt Rev Dr Michael Nazir-Ali
Bishop of Rochester

Rt Rev John Saxbee
Bishop of Lincoln

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