Bookings are now open for Sanctuary in Parliament 2018 – ‘Towards a Fairer System’. This event is taking place on Monday 12th November. For the latest details from City of Sanctuary, including how to book your place and invite your MP, read on.

Bookings are now open for the next Sanctuary in Parliament event which will be on Monday 12th November from 12 to 4pm in the Attlee Suite at Portcullis House, Westminster.

How do I book on?

Places will be limited and there will be a two-stage booking process.

1. Email sipbookings@cityofsanctuary.org to register your interest, after you have invited your MP (see below)

2. You will be sent a link to an application form which then needs to be completed and returned to the team at City of Sanctuary.

Places for the following groups will be prioritised:

  • Sanctuary seekers
  • Constituents who have secured a definite commitment from their MP to attend (see below for details)
  • Members of City of Sanctuary groups who have not attended a Sanctuary in Parliament event before

What is the theme for the day?

The overarching theme this year is for a fairer, more compassionate system for people seeking sanctuary in the UK. Within this, there will be specific focus on the following issues, which are all key to producing a fair and humane system and will be areas of scrutiny around the upcoming Immigration Bill:

  • The right to work for people who have asylum claims outstanding for more than six months
  • Extension of refugee family reunion
  • An end to indefinite immigration detention

See this background paper Sanctuary in Parliament 2018 on the rationale for the day and key messages for 2018.

What is the plan for the day?

The session will begin with a one hour focused session involving a panel of cross party MPs and refugee speakers followed by a question-and-answer session from the floor.

This will be followed by refreshments and opportunities for further discussions and lobbying MPs in small groups.

How do I invite my MP?

City of Sanctuary have produced this Template invitation letter to MPs to use when inviting your MP.

Briefing documents on the specific asks will also be available on the City of Sanctuary website for supporters and other partners to provide background information and in order to send to their MPs.

Please ensure that you have invited your MP before booking your place.

The details above were originally shared in a blog post by City of Sanctuary which can be found here.