Lambeth Labour dilute pledges to support asylum seekers

The Liberal Democrats’ motion passed, but not before it was heavily amended by the Labour administration. 

The original Motion called on the Council to make four commitments:  

• Write to the Home Secretary to ask the UK Government to restore the right to work for everyone waiting over 6 months for a decision on their asylum claim.  
• Ensure all asylum seekers in Lambeth receive mental health support and counselling with urgency when requested. 
• Undertake unannounced, quarterly inspections of food provided by asylum accommodation to ensure meals are nutritious and culturally appropriate. Meals must meet or surpass The Requirements for School Food Regulations 2014. 
• Deliver free access to Active Lambeth leisure centres for people seeking asylum, to improve their health and wellbeing. 

All Councillors present voted to support the Lib Dem calls to restore the right to work to asylum seekers, who currently have to wait twelve months before being eligible for employment. 

But Lambeth Labour voted through an amendment to remove any mention of unannounced inspections and adhering to food regulations. Furthermore, they deleted the commitment to give asylum seekers mental health support “with urgency when requested”. The amendment also revised the Lib Dems’ request to “provide free access to Active Lambeth leisure centres for asylum seekers”. 

However, the Liberal Democrats did manage to secure a verbal commitment from the Council that they would offer free access to Active Lambeth, although no further details were provided.  

The Lib Dem Group have been working closely with some of the 571 asylum seekers who are living in Lambeth. Before the meeting, one asylum seeker prepared a speech which Lib Dem Cllr Ben Curtis shared at Full Council on their behalf. 

In their speech, the asylum seeker wrote, “The quality of meals is poor. 50 percent is bread. When we get salad or vegetables, it has come with maggots, insects, and even sand. If we have fruit, it’s usually rotten.  

I want to engage in daily exercise, but quickly realised that the leisure facilities are not accessible unless I pay. 

We have chefs, builders, makeup artists, engineers, and other professionals amongst us. The majority of us had multiple sources of income back home. We would definitely be productive and contribute immensely towards the economy if allowed to work. 

Unfortunately, since seeking refuge here, I have become almost redundant from being idle for the most part of the day. This has seriously affected my physical and mental wellbeing.”  

Commenting, Cllr Donna Harris, Leader of the Lambeth Liberal Democrat Group, said: 

“The changes proposed in our Motion were small, within the Council’s power, and would have had an immeasurable impact on the lives of asylum seekers in our Borough. Lambeth Labour are running scared from all accountability.  

Every asylum seeker deserves access to nutritious food, mental health support, and the chance to stay active. 

A verbal commitment to provide free access to Active Lambeth is a huge step. But if Lambeth Labour are serious about being a Borough of Sanctuary, it is incomprehensible that they watered down our proposals.”

Picture: Reading Tom (cc)