In an open letter to Sajid Javid, they call on the government to dismantle their ‘hostile environment’ policies.

They say: “It deliberately prevents people who cannot provide the right documentation – for whatever reason – from getting work, renting a home or accessing the kinds of services we all need to live.

“This is leading to poverty, homelessness and avoidable suffering. We believe it is inhumane to use destitution, or the threat of destitution, as a policy tool to encourage people to leave the country.”

They also say that they are worried that the policies are increasing racist discrimination, citing how people who don’t look or sound ‘British’ are facing a harder time getting homes and jobs.

The letter continues: “As Christians we assert the importance of offering welcome to the stranger and caring for the vulnerable, whoever they are.

“Many of our churches support those who have suffered hardship because of the hostile environment. Our churches include some of the very people who are at risk of destitution and discrimination. We hear many stories of how the system has failed people and the harmful human impact of these policies.”

The letter is signed by, among others, Revd Michaela Youngson – President of the Methodist Conference, the bishops of Croydon, Loughborough and Lewes, the CEO of Housing Justice and Revd Dr Geraint Tudur – the General Secretary of the Union of Welsh Independents.

Responding…

The actor, known for his comedy performances in Mr Bean and Blackadder, said the remarks were funny.

Atkinson wrote in a letter to The Times: “As a lifelong beneficiary of the freedom to make jokes about religion, I do think that Boris Johnson’s joke about wearers of the burka resembling letterboxes is a pretty good one.”

He added: “All jokes about religion cause offence, so it’s pointless apologising for them.

“You should really only apologise for a bad joke. On that basis, no apology is required.”

The Uxbridge MP said Muslim women wearing face coverings “look like letter boxes”, and compared them to bank robbers and rebellious teenagers in a Telegraph column.

Mr Johnson is to face an investigation by an independent panel after complaints that his comments breached the Conservative Party’s code of conduct.

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CARE – Christian Action Research and Education – campaign with politicians on policies that often concern Christians.

CARE’s CEO Nola Leach told Premier that by having gambling adverts on many football strips this season the betting agencies are ignoring the guidance that says it should not be made appealing to under 18s.

Derby will be sponsored by 32Red, Newcastle’s away strip has ‘Fun88’ on and Crystal Palace’s by ManBetX – all betting agencies. 

Leach said: “I think there’s a real problem with gambling adverts on football shirts for a variety of reasons. It’s the way that the book makers and the gambling industry are side-stepping advertising betting to children.

“We know there are 430,000 adult problem gamblers in the UK…but what is really disturbing is that it’s estimated that there are 370,000 11-16 year olds who gamble on a weekly basis – 25,000 are classed as ‘problem gamblers’.

“What we’re doing with this is normalising gambling. Young people and children see their heroes…and the gambling adverts are on the back of their shirts…and make them think it’s harmless and it’s just something that people do.”

Explaining why she doesn’t agree with gambling Leach said: “For many, it’s seen as just harmless fun – and it might be for one or two people – but actually the problem is it becomes addictive and certain people with addictive natures, but others as well,…

Researchers from Columbia University Medical Centre in New York also found this to be the case even when children don’t share their parent’s beliefs.

The data analysed spanned 30 years and three generations of families and examined the association between suicidal behaviours, including thoughts and attempts, for offspring aged six to 18 years from 112 nuclear families.

In the introduction to the study which was published on Wednesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association Psychiatry, the authors explained: “Previous research has examined a number of risk factors of child and adolescent suicide, but one that has received little attention is religious/spiritual belief.

“This is surprising given that religious beliefs and practices have been associated with lower rates of suicide.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is one of the top ten leading causes of death in the US.

Suicide is the leading cause of death however for teenage girls.

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox every morning.

Researchers from Columbia University Medical Centre in New York also found this to be the case even when children don’t share their parent’s beliefs.

The data analysed spanned 30 years and three generations of families and examined the association between suicidal behaviours, including thoughts and attempts, for offspring aged six to 18 years from 112 nuclear families.

In the introduction to the study which was published on Wednesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association Psychiatry, the authors explained: “Previous research has examined a number of risk factors of child and adolescent suicide, but one that has received little attention is religious/spiritual belief.

“This is surprising given that religious beliefs and practices have been associated with lower rates of suicide.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is one of the top ten leading causes of death in the US.

Suicide is the leading cause of death however for teenage girls.

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox every morning.