Dear Rishi Sunak

23rd November 2020

CC:    Rt Hon Priti Patel MP (Home Secretary), Rt Hon Oliver Dowden MP (Culture Secretary), Chris Philps MP (Minister for Immigration Compliance and the Courts), Caroline Dinenage MP (Minister for Digital and Culture)

Dear Chancellor 

RE: Reinstate UK resettlement programmes

A rapidly growing network of Theatre Companies committed to supporting refugees, asylum seekers and migrants are calling on the government to reinstate UK resettlement programmes.

We stand ready to play our part in welcoming refugees and asylum seekers to the UK again: statutory support for people seeking sanctuary focuses on the basic human need for physical health and housing. We know there is an important relationship between theatre and wellbeing. By providing safe, social spaces to learn and create together, free from targets and judgement, we can ensure vulnerable people have the tools to manage daily stress, enjoy themselves, integrate safely and confidently represent themselves.

We are ready and waiting to welcome all that need us and ask the government to act swiftly and compassionately to ensure we are able to provide help to those that need it most.

Please read our open letter to the government here

Yours sincerely,

Stand & Be Counted Theatre, City of Sanctuary, Compass Collective, Phosphoros Theatre, World Stages Now, Maison Foo, Curious Monkey, Mafwa Theatre, Ice & Fire, Displace Yourself, performingborders, Migrant Actions Productions, Marlborough Productions, Migrants in Culture