BASW condemns Reform assault on asylum sanctuary network

Interim chief executive calls out ‘coordinated effort’ to create a climate of hostility towards asylum-seekers and refugees
Birmingham City of Sanctuary scheme
The Birmingham City of Sanctuary team which coordinates 'networks of welcome'

BASW has criticised a nationwide push by Reform to remove sanctuary status from towns and cities.

Since taking control of more councils in the recent May elections, a ‘boilerplate motion’ has been rolled out by Reform leader Nigel Farage attacking the symbolic welcome offered to asylum seekers under the City of Sanctuary UK network.

Identikit motions have been cropping up at local authorities across England and Wales, where Reform is now the second biggest party in the Senedd.

  • In February, Lancashire’s Reform-led authority withdrew all city libraries from the sanctuary scheme
  • In June, Sunderland’s Reform-led administration cancelled City of Sanctuary status
  • Also in June, a similar move at Birmingham City Council was thwarted by the minority coalition 
  • In July, Calderdale’s Reform administration axed Local Authority of Sanctuary status 
  • Also in July, Reform successfully tabled a motion to end borough of sanctuary status in Sandwell
  • Reform Wales tabled but lost a Senedd vote calling for Nation of Sanctuary status to be scrapped

Sam Baron, interim chief executive of BASW, said: “This is an attempt to create a climate of hostility towards highly vulnerable people, and as such it goes against our ethics and values.

“Sanctuary status is about supporting asylum seekers and strengthening local networks.

“It’s about saying ‘You are welcome here.’ Each time Reform UK tries to get this motion through, they are damaging these networks and diminishing efforts to build community cohesion.

“BASW condemns what appears to be a coordinated effort to promote the politics of hatred and division.”

CoS aims to signify a welcoming approach to people seeking sanctuary within communities “rooted in inclusivity, solidarity and compassion”.

Motions to remove the status have been put forward by Reform politicians, often using divisive language.

Dan Thomas, Reform’s leader in Wales, said: "This policy puts illegal arrivals ahead of the queue.”

Reform UK Sunderland said its opposition to borough of sanctuary was about putting "…local residents, local services and local concerns first".

In Birmingham, where the motion was defeated, Reform councillors Graham Green and Cherie Waddingham said: “The council’s first responsibility is to the residents of Birmingham...”

Baron added: “Such rhetoric is simply unacceptable. These motions achieve absolutely nothing in practice. They are all about playing politics with vulnerable people’s lives, deliberately promoting division, pitching people against people, often with a racist undertone.”

The sanctuary scheme has no influence on resettlement quotas controlled centrally by the Home Office.

Ending a sanctuary scheme does not change immigration policy, does not release council funds, and has no impact on local services in terms of redistribution of funds.

However, removal of the status signifies a less welcoming approach toward refugees and asylum-seekers.

Opposition leaders and local figureheads around the country have voiced their disgust.

The Reverend Chris Howson, who chairs Sunderland City of Sanctuary, said the move there was "performative gesture politics", adding: “There are loads of groups in the city and hundreds of individuals who do actively care and support sanctuary seekers.”

In Sandwell, where Borough of Sanctuary status was recently lost, Green Party group leader Councillor John Tipper described Reform’s motion as: “Cynical, mean-spirited culture war b******t,” and pledged to offer “people fleeing for their lives” a continued welcome, adding: “There are people who are your friends and allies… who will support you regardless.”