PRESSURE has been applied to Government by the Labour Party’s leader over their aid to Afghanistan.

In a letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, leader of the Labour Party Keir Starmer has called for clarity on “unanswered questions” in the UK’s planned aid to Afghanistan.

He implored the Prime Minister to press US President Joe Biden to extend the August 31 deadline to withdraw troops.

Cumbria is one of the counties that is ready if called upon to accept refugees who are fleeing violence from the Taliban.

Councillor Joseph Ghayouba represents Labour in Whitehaven Central and has a personal connection with the crisis.

“I’m acutely aware of the refugee crisis. My wife is from Syria, I’m Muslim and I’m half Egyptian.

He said: “It’s important that Britain keeps up it’s obligations.”

In his letter to the Prime Minister, Mr Starmer said that the Government needs to plan for the future, something he believes is not being done.

Coun Ghayouba agreed: “I would say that the Prime Minister, the Conservative Government and the Foreign Secretary have all been caught on the back foot. It seems they didn’t see this coming they weren’t prepared for it.”

The PM’s Private Secretary, Trudy Harrison MP for Copeland said: “We owe a debt of gratitude to all those who have worked with the UK to make Afghanistan a better place over the past 20 years. Many of them are now in urgent need of our help. That is why Government is establishing a new route for Afghan citizens prioritising women and girls who have been threatened or forced to flee their home to set up home in the UK permanently.

“This is in addition to existing programmes and routes already in operation.

“The UK has a proud history of welcoming those fleeing persecution or oppression, and this Government will always stand by all those around the world who need our help in their hour of need.

“The Afghanistan Citizens’ Resettlement Scheme will resettle thousands of Afghan citizens under one of the most generous resettlement schemes in our country’s history. “Our ambition is to welcome up to 5,000 Afghans to the UK in the first year, with up to 20,000 in the long term.

She said: “This is in addition to 5,000 Afghans we expect to relocate to the UK this year under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy.”

“We are working with international partners to identify those most at risk and to resettle them, and will work with local partners and councils to ensure that Afghans who are rebuilding their lives in the UK have the help they need and support to integrate.”