The hard truth is our asylum system simply doesn't treat everyone the same. It doesn't give people the dignity, safety and agency that their humanity deserves. Everyone is our neighbour. Of course, we can't take everybody. But we must therefore, even more so have a fair system for everyone.

But dehumanising language just promotes fear. A threat of destitution is being used as a deterrent. And children are treated as if they are adults.

Yet, in our own country, amongst our own people, in our churches, or faith groups and communities, some things have gone really well. Such as the Homes for Ukraine scheme, where many people have found a home, other family members have joined them, people have been able to get work, this is really good. But why has our response to people fleeing other conflicts been different?

Currently, the family definition in our asylum system would not even allow someone to join their sibling, even if they were the last remaining relative. And being able to work and contribute is a long, long way off.

The Archbishops of York and Canterbury are concerned about the UK's current asylum policy.

The tragedy of our system lies in its exceptionalism that means people get differential treatment, usually because of their country of origin. And this underpins the Nationality and Borders Act. And I fear, further legislative action will be the same. But we could learn from what's happening in our communities.

When it comes to questions of integration, in hundreds and hundreds of parishes and schools, and indeed in other faith communities up and down our country, that is what we're doing. I mean, English language classes, in befriending people, in teaching people.

There's lots about the Church of England which could be better. I'll be the first to admit it. But actually, this is something we're doing, alongside others, and it shows the best of British.

We need a system that will simply provide safe and legal routes for everyone to have equal opportunities to apply for asylum. I think this would be good for us, as well as for the people who are fleeing unimaginable conflict and evil.

Finally, when it comes to being able to work, the Church of England alongside the Refugee Council and the government's own Migration Advisory Committee, is a long-standing supporter of the ‘Lift the Ban’ campaign.

I say this as winter arrives, and it's cold.

And the cost of living crisis will inevitably affect British people's capacity to be hospitable.

And I want to say simply this; a functioning asylum system is not a threat to our social cohesion as some fear or predict.

But a dysfunctional, unfair one, is.

Every small child knows. This time of the year, Mary and Joseph came looking for somewhere to stay. But there was no room at the inn.

Saying no, accusing those who are hospitable of being naive, passing the buck. That's the easy thing to do.

But saying yes, with a fair and equal system for everyone, now, this also opens up blessings for everyone.

Archbishop Stephen Cottrell spoke in the Archbishop of Canterbury's House of Lords debate on the principles behind the contemporary UK asylum system and refugee policy. This is an edited version of his speech.

We will all benefit from reform of unfair asylum system: Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell