The Labour/Liberal Democrat Progressive Alliance moved a successful motion at last night’s Full Council asking the government for more support, as Afghan families in MK and across the country start their new lives.

The motion asks the government to make sure councils across the country have adequate funding for housing, additional school support and mental health programmes for Afghan refugees.

Councillor Jane Carr, Liberal Democrat Progressive Alliance Cabinet Member for tackling Inequalities and Child Poverty, said: “The people of Milton Keynes have welcomed the Afghan families with open arms, and I am so proud of the generosity of our community. When we come together, we can do amazing things.

These families have been welcomed into a city of hope with a tsunami of kindness, but we cannot do it all ourselves; we need long-term support from the government.”

Labour Progressive Alliance Cabinet Member for Adults, Housing and Healthy Communities, Councillor Emily Darlington, said:“Given their efforts to support British troops, it is our duty to help these families as they settle in their new lives, but we cannot do it alone.

The government needs to fulfil their promise and provide councils with enough support to house and help the Afghan families settle in the UK. We call on the government to be as supportive and generous as the people of Milton Keynes.”

The motion also asks the government to allow family members from Afghanistan to join those already settled in Britain, and to provide emergency humanitarian visas for people who need to get out of Afghanistan and come to the UK safely to claim asylum.

It also calls upon the government to listen to the United Nations regarding asylum and withdraw the Nationality and Border Bill before it becomes law.