Afghan refugees are welcome in Surrey

Surrey Lib Dems are calling on the Government to make a more ambitious commitment to resettle refugees fleeing the Taliban, and to give Surrey's Borough and District Councils, as well as the County Council, extra funding to house and support them here.

The Lib Dems have slammed the Government's commitment to resettle just 5,000 Afghan refugees across the UK over the next year, saying it "falls woefully short" of what is needed in response to the unfolding humanitarian crisis.

Surrey Lib Dems in local government, especially where the Lib Dems are in administration, have pledged to help resettle Afghan families.

Will Forster, Lib Dem Group Leader on Surrey County Council, said:

"Communities across Surrey have proud record of providing sanctuary to those in need. We have recently given sanctuary refugees from Syria, and I know local people will welcome those escaping the Taliban now too."

"Surrey County Council is currently caring for 88 child refugees and needs to play its part in helping people displaced from Afghanistan. The Government must live up to its obligations by giving local authorities in Surrey extra funding so we can house, support and integrate these refugees properly."

Julia McShane, Lib Dem Group Leader and Executive Member for Communities on Guildford Borough Council, added:

"Guildford is already committed to doing the best we can to help these communities and families in need - earlier this year Guildford Borough Council agreed on a scheme to find safe homes for any refugees fleeing violence in their homeland."

"Alongside this, the Council supports local community groups to take responsibility to welcome, house and support refugee families directly into their local community."

Lawrence Nichols, the Lib Dem Council Leader of Spelthorne Borough Council, said:

"We are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe unfolding before our eyes in Afghanistan, and we have a moral obligation to help. The lives of these people are threatened, and they are in dire need of urgent assistance.

"Spelthorne Council is committed to doing our fair share to help. This country owes a great debt to those who worked with and supported our troops over the last two decades, so it is only right that we help them."