A GROUP in Carlisle have said the government's 'lack of leadership and support' when it comes to Ukranian refugees is preventing local councils from helping.

The Carlisle Greens are asking for the government to offer more support and coordination towards councils, that matches the will of the UK public.

Whilst refugee charities have questioned why the government has not followed the EU’s lead and introduced visa waivers, the government has announced that 200,000 of those fleeing war will be housed in the UK. 

Gavin Hawkton, Carlisle Green Party chair, said: "The goodwill of the British public is clear, yet those who want to help are being prevented by a confused and ineffective government who have failed to provide the scale of planning and support that is needed."

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The fear for the Greens however, is that the slow compliance is edging closer to a repeat of the 'catastrophic handling of the Afghan crisis' - a warning that asylum seekers have been consistently accommodated in overcrowded and un-fit for living housing.

Green Party City Councillor Helen Davison, said: "Councils and their constituents all over the country are ready to step up for Ukrainian refugees, just like they were for Afghan refugees.

"But the biggest barrier is this Conservative government.

"We need to match the generosity of our European neighbours by waiving visa requirements for refugees fleeing war and we need money unlocked to provide decent accommodation and adequately fund support services.

"Councils with support can provide housing by repurposing empty homes, partnering with private landlords and building affordable new homes," she said.

Tom Adams, Green Party candidate for Brampton added: "Local communities in Carlisle, Brampton and elsewhere are rallying together to play their part in helping Ukrainian refugees.

"For example, the Brampton Area Action Group co-ordinated a response to supply vital food and medical supplies delivered directly to their point of need.

"Central government needs to match these local responses and rapidly catch up in terms of its support and funding for refugee resettlement," he said. 

Cumbria County Council are the lead authority for the resettlement of refugees in Cumbria, whilst district councils are responsible for assisting CCC in finding homes of good standard and suitability for arriving refugees. 

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