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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Rajeev Syal Home affairs editor

Starmer union ally joins opposition to rules barring citizenship for small boat refugees

Christina McAnea speaks at a rally
Christina McAnea’s Unison union was Labour’s most generous corporate donor during the 2024 general election. Photograph: James Manning/PA

Keir Starmer’s most generous union backer has joined faith leaders to warn Yvette Cooper that new rules refusing citizenship to refugees who arrive in small boats will “breed division and distrust” and could fuel attacks on migrant hotels.

Christina McAnea, the general secretary of Unison, and nine Church of England bishops are among 148 signatories of a letter saying the home secretary’s plan to bar naturalisation for anyone who has made a dangerous journey will label tens of thousands of people “second-class citizens”.

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