Callous’ approach to Afghan crisis has to be scrapped, says MP Claudia Webbe

A Leicester MP has branded the Government’s Afghan refugee plan ‘callous’ and demanded greater support for those fleeing the crisis.

Claudia Webbe, who represents Leicester East, has added her voice to those condemning the Government’s plan to welcome 20,000 Afghan refugees over a five year period.

Some 5,000 of these are expected to enter the UK by the end of the year

Many in Westminster and beyond have criticised the plan for not going far enough to protect those fleeing the Taliban.

Ms Webbe said: “The Government’s Afghanistan refugee plan is simply not good enough.

“There should be no cap, we must abandon arbitrary limits and instead accept refugees and asylum seekers based on need.

“As this crisis shows there is no such thing as an illegal asylum seeker.

“The Government’s callous approach must be abandoned, along with the devastating Nationalities and Borders Bill, and replaced by a fair and welcoming system for refugees.

“The Government must treat this crisis with the urgency it demands by introducing an ‘evacuate first, process later’ policy.”

Leicester and Leicestershire councils have already committed themselves to welcoming those who helped British forces in Afghanistan and are awaiting further guidance from central government.

Ms Webbe lauded the city’s history of offering sanctuary to those who need it.

She said: “In Leicester, we have a proud history of welcoming refugees and asylum seekers, including more than 20,000 East African Asians following their poor treatment and announced expulsion from Uganda in 1972.

“It is especially vital that we provide routes for family reunion and permanent settlement for Afghan nationals who are currently working and studying in the UK.”

Ms Webbe said there was a threat of a ‘humanitarian disaster’ with women and girls, religious minorities, independent journalists, union leaders and the LGBT+ community particularly at risk of retribution from Taliban forces.

She added: “It is utterly shameful that the Government has slashed development support to Afghanistan by 45 per cent just as it faces this crisis.”

In light of the current humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, criticisms have also been raised about the Government’s involvement in the war.

Above all else, Ms Webbe has called for the Government to ‘learn the lessons of the failed wars of intervention’ and urges it instead to turn to international cooperation as a means of resolution.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said yesterday: “The UK Government will always stand by those in the world in their hour of need when fleeing persecution or oppression.

“I want to ensure that as a nation we do everything possible to provide support to the most vulnerable fleeing Afghanistan so they can start a new life in safety in the UK, away from the tyranny and oppression they now face.

“Our country has a proud history of offering sanctuary to those in need.

“We will not abandon people who have been forced to flee their homes and are now living in terror of what might come next.

“The Afghan citizens’ resettlement scheme will save lives.”

The Home Office said the the scheme would not “compromise” national security and any person arriving in the UK would have to pass the same “strict security checks” as others who hope to settle here.

In a statement, the Home Office said: “The Government has also provided thousands of Afghans asylum in the UK and many Afghan nationals have come to the UK to work and study under the Points-Based Immigration system.”

Claudia Webbe MP is the member of Parliament for Leicester East. You can follow her at www.facebook.com/claudiaforLE and twitter.com/ClaudiaWebbe

Share