Lichfield’s MP insists it’s important that the UK is “getting the numbers right” in order to deal with the impact refugees could have on overstretched public services.
Michael Fabricant’s comments come after he was one of 294 MPs who voted against Britain taking in 3,000 child refugees from Syria.
The Conservative MP defended his decision, insisting it was important support for people fleeing conflict was delivered in the most effective way.
“It’s never easy to be objective when dealing with emotive subjects particularly like child refugees,” Mr Fabricant said. “The context is the UK is second only to the US in the total amount of aid we are giving in this Syrian humanitarian crisis – £2.3billion of taxpayers’ money.
“And the Government provides the most aid of all nations within the refugee camps in France, Greece, Turkey and other locations.
“However, I believe in the strategy sets out to provide aid at source and deter people smugglers who ply their evil trade of getting rich quick by providing overcrowded boats that sink while fuelling the dream that migrants and refugees can come to the UK – their number one destination. The UK not only provides a safe haven but free social and health care to migrants.
“In my judgment, this policy of providing aid in the camps deters human slave traffickers and protects the safety of overstretched public services – including the NHS – and British citizens. So getting the numbers right is important as Germany is only now discovering.
“Meanwhile, Lichfield District Council has played its part by providing accommodation for some of the genuine refugees who have made it to our shores.”
