On the 2nd of May two Early Day Motions (EDMs) have been lodged in the UK Parliament calling on the UK Government to suspend changes to new immigration rules for visiting priests  to the UK and to meet with representatives of faith communities to hear their concerns over the visa changes.

The new rules make it more difficult for priests to come to the UK on supply placements, a long established practice which provides essential support for parish priests and their local parish communities.
 

Changes include a significant hike in costs and language tests for visiting priests.

The Church has urged the Home Office to speak with Church officials about their concerns and to reconsider the changes.

Paul Masterton, the MP for East Renfrewshire, raised the concerns of his local Catholic community at Prime Minister’s Questions last week and now two EDMs have been lodged by Patrick Grady, MP for Glasgow North and the MP for Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East, Stuart McDonald.

Links to the two EDMs are below. Please do contact your MP and ask them to support these EDMs. You can find your MPs details here. If you are on Twitter or Facebook you may also be able to contact your MP there.

Thank you for your support!

Stuart McDonald Early Day Motion: Changes to Visa requirements for religious workers

Patrick Grady Early Day Motion: Tier 5 Visas for Ministers of Religion

Find you MP here...https://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/