Local authorities in London will need emergency funds to resettle some of the 20,000 Afghan refugees the Government has committed to help.
The London Assembly has today called for the government to give local councils access to more resources, to house as many Afghan refugees as possible.
Sem Moema AM, who proposed the motion said:
“It has been heart-wrenching watching the scenes of the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan unfold.
“Our city must play its part in welcoming the many thousands of Afghan refugees who have been so cruelly displaced and forced into destitution by the new repressive regime.
“Over the last week, it has been encouraging to see the Mayor and council leaders in London waste no time in laying the foundations for resettlement programmes.
“The Government must now match this sense of urgency and be forthcoming with the financial support and resources that cash-strapped councils need to provide a stable and long-term home for refugees in the capital”.
The full text of the motion is:
“This Assembly notes the tragic situation unfolding in Afghanistan and welcomes the Government’s commitment to resettle 20,000 Afghan refugees. This Assembly believes that the leaders in the UK must do all they can to support the Afghan people during this terrible time. London has a proud history of providing refuge to those seeking sanctuary and it stands again to help those in need.
This Assembly welcomes the Mayor’s recent letter to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and his call for the Government to provide London boroughs with the emergency financial support and resources for local authorities, to plan effectively and resettle Afghan families and to help them to establish a long-term future in our open and welcoming city.
This Assembly also welcomes the Government’s recent announcement of a £5 million fund available to councils, to provide housing and support to Afghan families, as well as additional healthcare provision put in place for those arriving from Afghanistan. Whilst noting and welcoming that a third of local councils have already offered support for Afghan families, this Assembly urges additional councils to consider offering support if they are in a position to do so.
This Assembly calls on the Chair of the Assembly to write urgently to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to show cross-party support for and to reiterate the Mayor’s calls to ensure London’s local authorities receive the emergency funds and resources required to house as many Afghan refugees as possible.”
Notes to editors
- Watch the full webcast.
- The motion was agreed unanimously.
- Sem Moema AM who proposed the motion, is available for interviews.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Funmi Olutoye on 07849 308 317. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer.