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# Local Labour chairman backs call for Lichfield and Burntwood to take in refugees
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/local-labour-chairman-backs-call-for-lichfield-and-burntwood-to-take-in-refugees/
- Published: 2015-09-09T07:00:46.000Z
- Updated: 2015-09-07T07:58:39.000Z
- Description: The chairman of the local Labour party has backed a petition calling on Lichfield District Council to offer housing to 10 refugee families.
- Author: Lewis Deakin
- Tags: Politics, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 20:42, News

The chairman of the local Labour party has backed [a petition](https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/refugees-welcome-in-lichfield?ref=lichfieldlive.co.uk) calling on Lichfield District Council to offer housing to 10 refugee families.

The campaign has been criticised by UKIP county councillor Jeff Sheriff and Lichfield District Council representative John Mills.

But Lichfield Labour chairman Colin Ball says the duo’s views show their party’s true colours.

He said: “Those are the kind of comments I would expect from UKIP as they just don’t care about people.

“I would support the petition, it is a great idea and it would be fantastic if we could bring 10 families into Lichfield.

“I think members of the public are starting to realise that we need to get behind and support these people.

“But the Government needs to ensure there is proper funding in place, so we can support them.”

The Government is preparing to accept at least 10,000 displaced people into Britain, according to reports.

Chancellor George Osborne has announced some of the United Kingdom’s £12 billion Foreign Aid budget will be used to help local authorities house refugees.

Cllr Colin Greatorex, Cabinet member for housing and health at Lichfield District Council, said the authority is ready to play its part.

He added: “We have been told by the Home Office that they are exploring options of how to disperse refugees across the country.

“We believe other councils in Staffordshire have also been contacted.

“Whilst we don’t have any council housing, we will work with our housing association partners and other partners to provide support and assistance as required.”