Refugees and asylum seekers in Birmingham have spoken of their fear and sadness following a controversial motion by Reform councillors to withdraw the city from the 'City of Sanctuary' scheme. The motion, which was ultimately lost after a heated council meeting, sparked intense criticism from opposition parties and deep concern among those who have sought safety in the city.
Reform's Motion and Rationale
Reform, now the largest party on the council, called on the council to end its status as a 'City of Sanctuary' and 'play no part' in any new voluntary refugee sponsorship scheme. Councillors Graham Green and Cherie Waddingham argued that the council faces 'significant challenges' including pressure on housing, neighbourhood services, and local government finances. Ahead of the meeting, they stated: 'The council's first responsibility is to the residents of Birmingham and to delivering high-quality public services. Birmingham City Council should focus its resources on the needs of existing residents and the recovery of local public services.'
Refugee Voices: Fear and Sadness
Algar Goredema-Braid, a migrant from Zimbabwe who moved to Birmingham nearly 40 years ago, expressed sadness at the divisions. 'We were very welcome at that particular time... People came and really prospered. You were not frightened to say where you were from. It's really sad now to hear the divisions that there are and people being treated differently because of their colour, their accent.' She added: 'I felt really sad – it is a very difficult emotion to express because it's a mixture of angry, disdain and sometimes feeling pity for them. Some of these councillors were not born when I came to this country... I just sort of think where is humanity gone?'
Charley Jacobs, originally from South Africa, said the City of Sanctuary scheme gave her a 'voice' and confidence. On the motion, she said: 'I think it would be a bad thing if they do because... asylum seekers and refugees [would become] scapegoats for things that are not our fault. If City of Sanctuary should close, what is going to happen to all those people that are working as carers, doctors... It would just fall apart.' She added that '99 per cent of people [in Birmingham] are welcoming' and that 'Birmingham would be a dark place without City of Sanctuary.'
Virginia Njenga, from east Africa, said the scheme makes her feel 'safe, wanted and welcome'. 'I can work, integrate and make friends. I feel this is a nice place, [people are] kind and welcoming – not judgement. It already feels like a home. Diversity makes us strong. People come from all over the world with different skills and talents. When they're welcome here and [allowed] to thrive, the people who live in Birmingham also benefit.'
Temitayo Ajayi, 54, from Nigeria, said she was 'really looked after' when she moved to Birmingham in 2019. 'Being in a City of Sanctuary, it was really good for me. [There was an] atmosphere to express myself and be helped.' She described the motion as making her 'scared'.
Mansour Masoud, who moved to Birmingham in 2017, said: 'I feel I'm a Brummie, I feel I'm a part of the community. If you would like to see how immigrants contribute to this country, have a look at the England football team. [Withdrawing from the City of Sanctuary scheme] won't benefit anyone. It supports people from conflict areas and once they're settled, they want to contribute to this country and give back.'
Refugee Ali, originally from Algeria, said: 'I lived in Birmingham and visited various other English cities, I have never encountered the same level of hospitality and immense support that I have witnessed here. Birmingham never once made me feel far away from my homeland or my family.'
Angel, originally from Albania, added: 'I'm proud that Birmingham is a City of Sanctuary. To me, it represents kindness, compassion, and the belief that everyone deserves to feel safe and welcomed. The idea of making our city less welcoming is deeply upsetting to me.'
Response from City of Sanctuary Chair
Shari Brown, chair of the Birmingham City of Sanctuary committee, described the scheme as a 'wonderful and symbolic statement'. She noted that 'across the city there are streams of schools, universities, theatres and faith places that are saying we are places of sanctuary. When we promote the values of sanctuary, yes the focus might be in some cases on refugees and asylum seekers but actually it benefits everyone. Because if we're promoting those wonderful values of inclusion, then everybody benefits.'
On Reform's motion, she said: 'It makes me sad – it really does. I think there's misunderstanding, the money that comes into the city that supports asylum seekers is ringfenced. So as many a councillor said, withdrawing that sanctuary status is not going to make any difference. If we are concerned about housing, health and employment for everyone in the city, then sure we should be concerned but that doesn't exclude the vulnerable – it includes the vulnerable. Compassion and fiscal responsibility can complement each other, we should be responsibly financially but that doesn't mean we take away our compassion and reject the vulnerable.'
Council Debate and Outcome
Presenting the motion, Reform Cllr Graham Green argued that the city had been reduced to 'a shambles' by the previous Labour leadership. 'What those who served on this council over the last 14 years appear to have forgotten is that their primary duty is to the Brummies that put them here – the tens of thousands of people who were born and worked in this city, bought a house here, raised a family here,' he said. Reform group leader Cllr Jex Parkin added: 'All we are proposing is that we put our city first. All we want to do is deliver public services effectively.'
The response from other parties was fierce. Green Cllr Jane Baston described Birmingham as a city 'that welcomes and celebrates our diversity because we know that it is our strength'. Labour group leader Cllr Nicky Brennan said Reform could have discussed something meaningful that 'actually helps Birmingham'. She stated: 'If Birmingham walks away from these programmes, that money doesn't suddenly become available to spend on housing, social care or street cleaning. It simply leaves Birmingham.'
Independent Cllr Nosheen Khalid said 'putting Birmingham first' does not mean 'turning vulnerable people into political footballs'. Lib Dem Cllr Izzy Knowles spoke of her personal experiences supporting a Ukrainian family and said removing City of Sanctuary status would do nothing to improve the housing crisis.
The Conservatives put forward an amendment also calling for an end to City of Sanctuary status, with group leader Cllr Robert Alden pointing to the housing waiting list. However, the motion to end the city's 'sanctuary' status was lost following a vote.
