A number of Derby’s faith leaders have joined over 70 faith groups and leaders in asking the Home Office to embed principles of compassion and respect for human dignity in its New Plan for Immigration. People who have arrived in our communities through the asylum system are our neighbours and valued members of our congregations. We welcome the government’s commitment to resettlement through the new UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS) but we are concerned that the New Plan for Immigration lacks compassion and respect for human dignity. We urge the Home Secretary to embed principles of welcome, protection and integration into the government’s policies. Read the open letter here: bit.ly/3eu59hs

Some of the local signatories so far include:

The Right Reverend Libby Lane, Bishop of Derby and Chair of Derby Multi Faith Centre.

President Sardar Barbir Singh Ji for and on behalf of the Sikh Community of Derbyshire and the Management Committee of Guru Arjan Dev. Gurdwara Derby.

Mark L Soloman – Rabbi of Leicester Progressive Jewish Congregation and Interfaith Consultant for Liberal Judaism.

Keith Munnings, on behalf of the Buddhists communities of Derbyshire.

The Very Revd Dr Peter Robinson, Dean of Derby Cathedral

UK Quaker Asylum including Derby Quakers