Bishop of Chelmsford Responds to Prime Minister’s Comments on Immigration

The Bishop of Chelmsford, Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, has raised concerns about recent remarks made by Prime Minister Keir Starmer regarding immigration, particularly his reference to the UK potentially becoming an “island of strangers.” In a recent article, she and other faith and community leaders emphasised the positive contributions of migrants to society and highlighted the importance of respectful and inclusive language in public discourse.

The Government’s newly published immigration White Paper, Restoring Control over the Immigration System, includes proposals such as higher English language requirements, a longer settlement qualification period, and the end of recruitment for overseas social care workers. While the Home Office has stated that the changes aim to reduce net migration and strengthen border control, some commentators have called for a more hopeful and compassionate approach that balances immigration control with fairness, community cohesion, and support for all workers.