More than 100 UK-based charities have signed an open letter urging Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to move away from what they describe as the "scapegoating of migrants" and to instead address the root causes of the country’s social and economic challenges.

The letter, coordinated by Refugee Action, was published ahead of Mahmood's scheduled speech at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, and includes 105 organizations from various sectors, including major humanitarian, environmental, and advocacy groups such as Oxfam, Save the Children, Shelter, Mind, Greenpeace, and Friends of the Earth. It also includes migrant rights and anti-racism organizations, along with the PCS union, which represents Border Force staff.

In their joint statement, the signatories call on the government to prioritize meaningful reforms to tackle systemic issues such as housing shortages, an overstretched NHS, climate degradation, and rising inequality, rather than pursuing "performative policies" that they argue harm vulnerable communities.

"The government wants to deliver growth and renew Britain. This requires tackling issues such as growing extreme inequality, underfunded councils, lack of investment in quality housing, a crumbling NHS, the climate emergency, and polluted waters," the letter states.

"Targeting refugees will do nothing to tackle these structural issues or improve people's lives. It only serves as a dangerous smokescreen to scapegoat the most vulnerable and distract from the very real dangers to our society."

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Warning against rise in far-right sentiment

The letter also references recent events, including a large far-right-organized rally in London earlier this month, where estimates suggest between 110,000 and 150,000 people participated. The summer months also saw violent demonstrations outside hotels housing asylum seekers.

Signatories warn that such unrest reflects deepening societal divisions fueled by inflammatory rhetoric.
"Anger and division will never satisfy voters in the long term. They cause tensions in our communities, dividing us and tearing the social fabric of our society," the letter warns.

"As the new home secretary, you now have an opportunity to turn the tide, and to end the scapegoating of migrants and performative policies that only cause harm. The government runs the risk of this country accelerating along a dangerous path, and now is the time to urgently correct this and change course."

NGOs, advocates speak out

Tim Naor Hilton, Chief Executive of Refugee Action, emphasized that structural factors, not migration, lie at the heart of the UK's most pressing problems. "Austerity and growing wealth inequality are among the real devils forcing more families to use food banks and creating longer waits to see a doctor or find a secure home. The breadth of support for this letter shows that blaming people seeking asylum for problems not created by them has huge consequences across all parts of society."

Areeba Hamid, Co-Executive Director of Greenpeace UK, also spoke out against the current tone of political debate around immigration. "Like the home secretary, I am an example of the benefits immigration brings to the United Kingdom. Our companies, communities and cherished institutions like the NHS are filled with similar examples. If we are to stand for decency and inclusion, we need to start with changing the tone of our debate about immigration."

In response to the growing criticism, a Home Office spokesperson reiterated the government's position: "The home secretary has said that secure borders are an essential part of being a tolerant, open, generous country and she will explore all options to restore order to our immigration system."