This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34564894

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Syria refugees: Bishops urge David Cameron to do more Syria refugees: Bishops urge David Cameron to do more
(about 1 hour later)
Eighty-four Church of England bishops have revealed that they wrote to David Cameron last month urging him to accept at least 50,000 refugees from Syria.Eighty-four Church of England bishops have revealed that they wrote to David Cameron last month urging him to accept at least 50,000 refugees from Syria.
The UK's decision to accept 20,000 by 2020 was not adequate and most people wanted to offer more help, they said.The UK's decision to accept 20,000 by 2020 was not adequate and most people wanted to offer more help, they said.
The Bishop of Durham, the Rt Rev Paul Butler, said it was "disheartening" they had not had a "substantive reply".The Bishop of Durham, the Rt Rev Paul Butler, said it was "disheartening" they had not had a "substantive reply".
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said "nobody is doing more" than the UK "to help the refugees in their camps".Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said "nobody is doing more" than the UK "to help the refugees in their camps".
In addition to offering to accept 20,000 refugees from camps bordering war-torn Syria, the government has provided £1bn in aid to Syria, with an extra £100m given to charities to help thousands of people displaced by the conflict. The government has offered to accept 20,000 refugees from camps bordering Syria. It has also provided £1bn in aid to Syria, with an extra £100m given to charities to help thousands displaced by the conflict.
There has been heated debate in recent months about how individual countries should respond to the migrant crisis. This weekend Hungary closed its border with Croatia, while Slovenia put its army on standby to deal with thousands of migrants entering the country. There has been debate in recent months about how countries should respond to the migrant crisis. This weekend Hungary closed its border with Croatia, while Slovenia put its army on standby to deal with migrants entering the country.
In a statement, Bishop Butler said: "As the fighting intensifies, as the sheer scale of human misery becomes greater, the government's response seems increasingly inadequate to meet the scale and severity of the problem. Bishop Butler said: "As the fighting intensifies, as the sheer scale of human misery becomes greater, the government's response seems increasingly inadequate to meet the scale and severity of the problem.
"It is disheartening that we have not received any substantive reply despite an assurance from the prime minister that one would be received. He added: "There is an urgent and compelling moral duty to act which we as bishops are offering to facilitate alongside others from across civil society."
"There is an urgent and compelling moral duty to act which we as bishops are offering to facilitate alongside others from across civil society."
Downing Street said the government wanted to tackle "the causes and consequences" of the refugee problem and that the UK was the second biggest donor in the world towards helping refugees in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey.Downing Street said the government wanted to tackle "the causes and consequences" of the refugee problem and that the UK was the second biggest donor in the world towards helping refugees in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey.
Analysis: BBC religious affairs correspondent Caroline WyattAnalysis: BBC religious affairs correspondent Caroline Wyatt
The decision by the 84 Church of England bishops to go public with their private letter to David Cameron is unusual, and an indication of their deep frustration at not having had what they would see as an adequate response.The decision by the 84 Church of England bishops to go public with their private letter to David Cameron is unusual, and an indication of their deep frustration at not having had what they would see as an adequate response.
But it is far from the first time that Church leaders have clashed with government. The bishops had to defend themselves from charges of political bias earlier this year, ahead of the general election, when they released an unprecedented manifesto that said it was the "duty" of every Christian to vote.But it is far from the first time that Church leaders have clashed with government. The bishops had to defend themselves from charges of political bias earlier this year, ahead of the general election, when they released an unprecedented manifesto that said it was the "duty" of every Christian to vote.
That 52-page letter warned that people felt "detached" from politics and called for a "fresh moral vision of the kind of country we want to be". Although it was careful to praise the work of some earlier governments from both left and right, it was seen by many Conservative MPs as a distinctly left-leaning document, including references to the Trident nuclear deterrent, Britain's relationship with the European Union and the welfare state.That 52-page letter warned that people felt "detached" from politics and called for a "fresh moral vision of the kind of country we want to be". Although it was careful to praise the work of some earlier governments from both left and right, it was seen by many Conservative MPs as a distinctly left-leaning document, including references to the Trident nuclear deterrent, Britain's relationship with the European Union and the welfare state.
Nonetheless, the bishops themselves would argue that it is their duty to offer moral leadership, and to speak out when they feel strongly that they and their flock wish the government to do more, and offer their help on the major issues of the day - however unwelcome that message may be to some.Nonetheless, the bishops themselves would argue that it is their duty to offer moral leadership, and to speak out when they feel strongly that they and their flock wish the government to do more, and offer their help on the major issues of the day - however unwelcome that message may be to some.
In their letter, sent on 10 September, the bishops said they "recognise and applaud the leadership" Mr Cameron had shown when he announced the UK would accept 20,000 refugees but added the UK should do more to help tackle "one of the largest refugee crises ever recorded".In their letter, sent on 10 September, the bishops said they "recognise and applaud the leadership" Mr Cameron had shown when he announced the UK would accept 20,000 refugees but added the UK should do more to help tackle "one of the largest refugee crises ever recorded".
"We believe such is this country's great tradition of sanctuary and generosity of spirit that we could feasibly resettle at least 10,000 people a year for the next two years, rising to a minimum of 50,000 in total over the five-year period you foresaw in your announcement," they wrote."We believe such is this country's great tradition of sanctuary and generosity of spirit that we could feasibly resettle at least 10,000 people a year for the next two years, rising to a minimum of 50,000 in total over the five-year period you foresaw in your announcement," they wrote.
"Such a number would bring us into line with comparable commitments made by other countries. It would be a meaningful and substantial response to the scale of human suffering we see daily."
Refugee crisisRefugee crisis
What is the UK doing to help?What is the UK doing to help?
Are refugees prepared for life in the UK?Are refugees prepared for life in the UK?
Lives of Syrian refugees already in UKLives of Syrian refugees already in UK
Journey from Syria to BradfordJourney from Syria to Bradford
Crisis explained in graphicsCrisis explained in graphics
The letter, signed by 84 of the Church's 108 bishops, also said they would encourage churches and congregations to make spare housing available to refugees and promote foster caring.The letter, signed by 84 of the Church's 108 bishops, also said they would encourage churches and congregations to make spare housing available to refugees and promote foster caring.
Bishop of Manchester David Walker, one of the signatories, said he had come under pressure from parishioners to encourage action. Bishop of Manchester David Walker, a signatory, said he had come under pressure from parishioners to encourage action.
"People want to know what we are going to do," he told BBC Breakfast."People want to know what we are going to do," he told BBC Breakfast.
Local authorities and charities were ready to play their part, he said, adding: "We simply need the prime minister to give us the go-ahead to do rather more, and rather more quickly, than so far has been promised." 'Real issue'
Neither the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby nor the Archbishop of York John Sentamu signed the letter, though both have called for a compassionate response to the refugee crisis. But Mr Fallon said the "real issue" was in Syria.
Lawyers call He told the BBC: "We are spending £1bn helping the refugees in the refugee camps in Syria and now we have announced that we will take 20,000 - 5,000 a year for the rest of this parliament - which is a number we think we can reasonably accommodate."
Neither the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby nor the Archbishop of York John Sentamu signed the letter. Both have called for a compassionate response to the refugee crisis.
The Most Rev Justin Welby has previously offered to help with sanctuary for refugees in the form of a four-bedroom cottage in the grounds of Lambeth Palace.The Most Rev Justin Welby has previously offered to help with sanctuary for refugees in the form of a four-bedroom cottage in the grounds of Lambeth Palace.
The bishops' letter comes a week after leading former judges and lawyers also criticised the government's "slow and narrow" response to the crisis. The bishops' letter comes a week after leading former judges and lawyers criticised the "slow and narrow" response to the crisis.
Lord Phillips, former UK Supreme Court head, and Lord Macdonald, ex-director of public prosecutions, were among 300 to sign an open letter on the issue.
They too argued that the current offer to accept 20,000 refugees over five years was not enough. One retired judge said the UK could cope with taking in 75,000 a year.