The United Reformed Church (URC) and The Presbyterian Church of Wales (PCW) are among church leaders appealing to the UK government to end the use of military barracks as accommodation for asylum seekers in the UK.

In an open letter to the Home Secretary in February, church leaders across denominations voiced their concern about the refugees’ welfare as they watched events unfold at Napier Barracks in Folkestone, Kent.

The signatories of the letter also sought confirmation that the authorities would not expand the use of barracks as contingency accommodation and whether a timeline would be set for their closure. With the shared view that all humans deserve dignity and welcome, and understanding that the government intends to shift the residents into suitably dispersed accommodation, the church leaders appealed to the government to continue to work with local authorities, devolved administrations and support organisations to re-locate asylum seekers in local communities.

Image: Napier Barracks via Google Maps