Lambeth Council will now take 100 child refugees following a Green Party amendment that was passed at a recent council meeting.
Initially, only 20 places were assigned. However, following an initiative by Jonathan Bartley, Green Party co-leader and councillor, the Greens successfully tabled an amendment that was passed by the council in July to allow 80 more places.
Green councillor Scott Ainslie said: ‘The whole world is facing a huge refugee crisis, in tandem with the pandemic. We believe we should be doing all we can to support refugees…’
Jonathan Bartley believes it is important more than ever for local councils to do the right thing where central government fails. Speaking after the council meeting he said it was essential to ‘…challenge the Government’s hostile environment by showing this kind of leadership.’