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The TUC in Yorkshire yesterday (Wednesday) called on the government to provide emergency funding for local councils and mayors to welcome and support Afghan asylum seekers fleeing the country.

• Union body says Yorkshire mayors and councils must offer Afghans sanctuary, and Chancellor must pay for it
• TUC says Nationality & Borders Bill will make claiming asylum harder and should be scrapped

TUC Regional Secretary Bill Adams yesterday said:  

“Yorkshire has a long history of welcoming those in need. From the early migrations of Irish and Scots during the industrial revolution, to Polish miners and the Windrush generation.

“We must offer a safe haven to those fleeing persecution.

“That is why I welcome Mayor Brabin’s commitment to welcoming refugees to West Yorkshire, and I am today calling on local councils and mayors to immediately and publicly commit to offering sanctuary to Afghan asylum seekers across our region.

“And the Westminster government must not hold us back. I am calling on Rishi Sunak to offer emergency funding to all councils offering safe haven before the day is out.

“I hope he feels the duty to help his own region do the right thing. The clock is ticking.

“This is not a political problem. It is a moral duty, to offer sanctuary and ensure those being persecuted in Afghanistan, including trade union leaders, can claim asylum in the UK. Trade unionists know this. It’s what we do.”

Editors Note

• The Trades Union Congress (TUC) exists to make the working world a better place for everyone. We bring together more than 5.5 million working people who make up our 48 member unions. We support unions to grow and thrive, and we stand up for everyone who works for a living.

Contacts:

Gareth Forest (Lewis)
gforest@tuc.org.uk 
0113 200 1075
07810 374976 

TUC national press office 
media@tuc.org.uk  
020 7467 1248