QARN signed this letter:
Monday 20 July 2026: Together With Refugees: More than 200 charities urge the new PM to ‘reject the politics of division’
More than 200 charities have signed an open letter (1) to the incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham today urging him to reject the politics of division and forge a new path for asylum seekers and refugees in the UK.
The letter, coordinated by campaign coalition Together With Refugees, has been signed by 219 organisations from local volunteer led groups to leaders of national charities including Care4Calais, Choose Love, City of Sanctuary UK, Freedom from Torture, NACCOM, Refugee Action, Refugee Council, Scottish Refugee Council and Women for Refugee Women.
The letter states: “As leaders of charities and organisations supporting refugees across the UK, we witness every day the extraordinary compassion shown by ordinary people. While recent scenes of far-right marches, intimidation and attempts to spread fear have dominated headlines, they do not reflect the reality we see in communities across the country.”
Addressed to the Prime Minister, it goes on to say: “For too long, public debate has been shaped by hostile politics, divisive rhetoric and policies that have dehumanised people seeking asylum. Year after year, we have challenged measures rooted in performative cruelty and listened as refugees have been unfairly blamed for wider social and economic challenges. It is time to draw a clear line under this approach.”
It concludes: “Prime Minister, we ask you to reject the politics of division, and focus on what unites us, to build common ground, and to extend dignity, humanity and hope to those who have already endured so much.”
“Now is the time to champion a narrative that reflects the very best of our country, because we believe we are stronger together.”
Signatory Imran Hussain, Director of External Affairs at the Refugee Council, said:
“Every day, charities like ours see neighbours welcoming new arrivals, volunteers giving their time and communities refusing to let hate define them. That generosity is the real story of Britain. Our new Prime Minister now has the opportunity to choose a different path – one rooted in British values of fairness and decency”.
Signatory Dr Razia Shariff, CEO Kent Refugee Action Network (KRAN), said:
“This could be a pivotal moment in our country’s history, where we turn away from hate and embrace hope, humanity and tolerance – values that define the very best of Britain. It will take a clear vision, belief in who we are as a nation and courageous leadership to set a new direction on immigration, race and asylum. We urge Andy Burnham to rise to this challenge.”
Rabbi David Mason, Executive Director of HIAS+JCORE, who signed the letter said:
“The new Prime Minister must ask himself what kind of country we want to be. Do we allow fear to define us, or do we choose hope and compassion? We know from our work that communities across the country want to offer humanity and fairness to refugees. Now is the time for our political leaders to do the same.”
Tim Naor Hilton, Chief Executive at Refugee Action, who signed the letter said:
“For too long, people seeking safety have been demonised by politicians. This relentless fearmongering has divided our communities and all of us are paying the price. The country is ready for a different conversation – one that replaces the politics of hate with a vision of unity and hope.
“The new Prime Minister must ask himself what kind of country we want to be. We know through our work that most people want fairness and dignity for people seeking safety. Now is the time for our political leaders to demand the same.”
Together With Refugees is the largest pro-refugee coalition in British history with more than 600 member organisations, from grassroots and refugee-led groups to international development charities and trade unions. With 80% of the British public wanting an approach to the asylum system that is well managed, fair and compassionate, the coalition is calling for a fair new plan for refugees. It wants a plan that upholds the UK’s commitment under international law to the right to claim asylum, provides a proper strategy for welcoming refugees, and forges stronger global cooperation to tackle the root causes that force people to flee their homes and provides positive solutions when they do, including through safe routes to refugee protection.
ENDS
Notes to editors
(1) Full letter below
Dear Prime Minister
Congratulations on your appointment. We wish you every success as you take on the responsibility of leading one of the world’s wealthiest nations at a time of significant challenge and opportunity.
As you begin your tenure, we urge you to seize this moment to forge a new path in the UK’s approach to people seeking refuge from war, persecution and conflict.
As leaders of charities and organisations supporting refugees across the UK, we witness every day the extraordinary compassion shown by ordinary people. While recent scenes of far-right marches, intimidation and attempts to spread fear have dominated headlines, they do not reflect the reality we see in communities across the country.
We see people opening their homes, volunteering their time, standing up for fairness and welcoming those seeking safety. We see friendships formed, communities strengthened and hope restored—not only for refugees, but for everyone involved.
For too long, public debate has been shaped by hostile politics, divisive rhetoric and policies that have dehumanised people seeking asylum. Year after year, we have challenged measures rooted in performative cruelty and listened as refugees have been unfairly blamed for wider social and economic challenges. It is time to draw a clear line under this approach.
A different future is possible – the UK can have an asylum system that is humane, well managed and fair, while enabling refugees to rebuild their lives and contribute to our society as neighbours, colleagues and friends.
Prime Minister, we ask you to reject the politics of division, and focus on what unites us, to build common ground, and to extend dignity, humanity and hope to those who have already endured so much.
We stand ready to work with you, and would welcome an early opportunity to discuss with you how we can rebuild public confidence in the asylum system.
Now is the time to champion a narrative that reflects the very best of our country, because we believe we are stronger together.
Yours sincerely
Names available on request
About Together with Refugees
Together With Refugees is the largest pro-refugee coalition in British history with more than 600 member organisations, from grassroots and refugee-led groups to international development charities and trade unions. With 80% of the British public wanting an approach to the asylum system that is well managed, fair and compassionate, the coalition also has a growing network of committed people getting organised and taking action to influence their MPs in constituencies across the country. The coalition is calling for a fair new plan for refugees that upholds the UK’s commitment under international law to the right to claim asylum, provides a proper strategy for welcoming refugees, and forges stronger global cooperation to tackle the root causes that force people to flee their homes and provides positive solutions when they do, including through safe routes to refugee protection. Find out more at togetherwithrefugees.org.uk and @RefugeeTogether on X and @RefugeesTogether on Instagram and BlueSky.t more at togetherwithrefugees.org.uk and @RefugeeTogether on X and @RefugeesTogether on Instagram and BlueSky.