Boris urged to help welcome refugees
MP called on to encourage council involvement
THE MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip Boris Johnson has been urged to encourage Hillingdon Council to welcome Syrian refugees escaping conflict to the area.
Mr Johnson was among the ministers told to help tackle the ‘lamentable’ European migrant crisis by the Commons Home Affairs Committee.
The government has committed to bring 20,000 Syrian refugees fleeing war and ISIS extremists into the country by 2020.
But in a report published on August 3 the Home Affairs Committee found that no refugees have been rehomed in the constituency of top ministers, including Boris Johnson’s Uxbridge constituency and Prime Minister Theresa May’s Maidenhead constituency.
Chair of the committee and Labour MP for Leicester East, Keith Vaz, said: “Europe’s efforts to address this ‘colossal’ refugee crisis has been lamentable.
“The atrocious conditions in migrant camps within and on the borders of the richest countries on earth is a source of shame.
“Cabinet ministers should show leadership in encouraging their own local authorities to take their fair share of Syrian refugees. We need to avoid silently encouraging a two-tier system.”
According to the committee, an estimated 227,316 entered Europe in 2016 up to the start of July and 2,920 deaths were recorded in this same period.
Coventry in the West Midlands has accepted 105 refugees, while Gateshead near Newcastle has accepted 62.
Last year, Kensington and Chelsea Council agreed to let in 50 Syrian refugees.
In contrast Hillingdon Council in Boris Johnson’s constituency has re-homed no Syrian refugees.
The report also found that no refugees have been welcomed in Ministers’ constituencies of any of the ‘great offices of state’ – Prime Minister, Chancellor, Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary.
Boris Johnson’s office and Hillingdon Council have been contacted for comment.