We are deeply concerned by Home Office plans to establish a so-called “earned settlement” scheme that would judge those with a higher salary, better education and from a more fortunate background as more worthy of living settled, secure lives in the UK. This is contrary to our understanding of the equal value and dignity of every human being and ignores the particular responsibility that, in our view, government has to attend to the needs of those who are most vulnerable and marginalised.
Many of our congregations are blessed with the presence, gifts and service of those who are in the UK having immigrated from Hong Kong, are refugees or are of other immigrant backgrounds. The current proposals will create anxiety among each of these groups, particularly severely impacting the ability of refugees to live settled, healthy lives in the UK. Some of our congregations are also faithfully served by ministers from overseas and we view these proposals as placing overly restrictive barriers in front of those hoping to take up God’s call within the UK church.
We are particularly concerned that the retrospective application of these new policies would be unfair to those who have already begun to make their lives in this country on the basis of the current immigration rules, and made decisions and plans based upon an expectation of a being able to follow a pathway to settled status and citizenship.
We urge the Home Office to reconsider these proposals and listen to advocates who are showing the evidence that enabling shorter, less complex paths to settlement delivers benefits to not only the individual but the community they make their home. Crucially, any changes must take into account the real-world circumstances faced by many immigrants and not push those already at the margins of our society into further destitution and uncertainty.
The Baptist Union of Great Britain, Methodist Church, United Reformed Church and the Church of Scotland have each submitted responses to the ongoing Home Office consultation detailing our stances and we will continue to follow this process with interest and concern.