KEIGHLEY SHARED CHURCH

News & Updates From Keighley Shared Church

Minister's Letter

Dear friends,
 
I am looking forward to the Churches Together Lent  meetings this year, having seen what an excellent programme you had last year. This year the meetings will follow a similar format but will be on Wednesdays here at the Shared Church, commencing on 29th February. Topics for exploration will include Mental Health, Death and Dying and Asylum Seekers. (Full details coming soon. There will also be a study group during the day time.)

I thought I would 'set the scene' a bit on the topic of Asylum seekers as many people are unsure as to why asylum seekers and refugees are here, But if you think about what is happening in the countries they come from, is it surprising that many would want to flee? Of course,
certain newspapers are always ready to feed on people's fears of the stranger, so we need to be sure that we are making an informed response. So here are some facts you can rely on: Asylum Seekers are people seeking protection. Anyone is entitled to seek asylum, though those who have committed serious crimes are excluded.

There is no such thing as an 'illegal asylum seeker.'

People can become an 'illegal immigrant' if they remain in the UK after failing to respond to a removal notice.

Asylum seekers who enter the UK illegally often have no alternative. The situation they are fleeing from is often so chaotic that it would be impossible or very expensive to obtain the legally required travel documents.

Britain receives fewer asylum applications for the size of its population than most other western European nations. Developing countries host most of the world's refugees.

Asylum Seekers are entitled to less financial support from the State than UK citizens. A single adult Asylum Seeker receives £33.13 per week, about 30% below the basic level of income support. They are not permitted to do paid work or claim benefits while their applications are being processed. They cannot jump the queue for Council housing, and there are no free mobile phones or televisions.

The number of Asylum Seekers in the Yorkshire region is falling. Local authorities have agreed with the Government that the number should never exceed 0.5% of the population.

Hope to see many of you at the Lent meetings!

Shalom,