That means, as the Prime Minister noted, helping to stabilise the countries from which the refugees are coming, seeking a solution to the crisis in Syria, a new government in Libya and, crucially, targeting the criminal gangs who are profiting from this human tragedy.
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In response to the lawyers’ criticism, Britain’s newly-appointed minister for Syrian refugees Richard Harrington said taking more refugees would take “careful and meticulous” planning.
She will say: “The refugee crisis is getting worse not better, but the British government’s response is still far too weak”.
“Around the Balkan crisis we were receiving around 75,000 a year”.
Britain must accept more Syrian refugees faster in response to a humanitarian crisis of people fleeing conflict, a group of over 300 lawyers demanded in a statement released Monday.
Cooper will step up the pressure on the government to act after a panel of retired law lords described the government’s plan to take in 20,000 Syrian refugees over the course of this parliament as “too low, too slow and too narrow”. On Tuesday we will gather 1000 people and present our pledges, sending a clear message to David Cameron that the people are ready, that we will not just go home and forget about it and that refugees are welcome here.
“We are the sixth or seventh richest country in the world, it is not beyond our capabilities to make the necessary changes to receive our share”.
Responding to the judges’ letter, David Cameron’s official spokeswoman told a regular Westminster media briefing: “People can express views, and different views. Global protection, it is a shared duty, a shared responsibility”.
“We are providing over £1.1 billion in aid”.
“It’s vital money that is enabling these refugees to be able to stay in the neighbouring region where they immediately fled to and not embark on perilous journeys”.
The government’s Vulnerable People Relocation Scheme, launched in January 2014, has seen at least 216 Syrians come to Britain, according to the last published figures.
Asked if the Government is on target for that rate, he said: “I believe we will be on target when the increased traction of the scheme comes into fruition”.
Greek authorities say they have rescued a total 1,624 refugees and economic migrants who entered the country in dozens of frail boats from neighboring Turkey over the past three days.
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Shadow home secretary Andy Burnham said: ” Today’s warning confirms what Labour has been saying for months on the Government’s shortcomings.
