Two Labour Lewisham MPs have spoken out over the government's handling of the refugee crisis, claiming the prime minister's actions are "too little, too late".

The tipping point for many in the UK came after the harrowing picture of Syrian three-year-old Aylan Kurdi emerged, prompting people to ask whether more could be done to save those making the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean.

Lewisham Deptford's Vicky Foxcroft and Heidi Alexander, MP for Lewisham east, have condemned the Tory government's actions and urged people to come together in supporting those fleeing war-torn countries.

News Shopper:

Migrants and refugees paddling a rubber dinghy close to the beach at Psalidi near Kos Town, Kos, Greece. (c.) PA Wire.

Ms Foxcroft, who last week tweeted a picture of herself supporting the #refugeeswelcome campaign, told News Shopper: "I think it's outrageous that we're losing our touch with humanity.

"These people are fleeing conflict and dying in seas...we have always been a country that takes refugees and recognises that people are escaping.

"I think it's disgusting the way that government are pandering at the moment."

 

Ms Alexander first asked the prime minister about Syrian refugees back in September 2013 after the House of Commons lost a vote to use UK military action against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government.

She raised questions over his lack of action in the refugee crisis again in June this year.

During a session in the House of Commons she asked the PM: "Is the reason the UK is failing to take its fair share of refugees that the Government find human suffering easier to bear if it is made someone else’s problem?"

Ms Alexander told News Shopper: "I am utterly appalled and ashamed by the UK's response to the refugee crisis.

"It's disgraceful that it takes a picture of a dead boy being washed up on the Turkish shore to force David Cameron to act and I fear his latest announcement is a case of too little, too late."

News Shopper:

David Cameron making a statement in the House of Commons earlier today.

Today Mr Cameron announced Britain will accept up to 20,000 Syrian refugees over the next four and a half years, after mounting pressure from MPs and campaigners.

He said sanctuary would be given to refugees who are currently in camps neighbouring the war-ravaged nation.

In a statement to the Commons, Mr Cameron said: "We have already provided sanctuary to more than 5,000 Syrians in Britain and have introduced a specific resettlement scheme, alongside those we already have, to help those Syrian refugees particularly at risk.

"But given the scale of the crisis and the suffering of the Syrian people it is right that we should do much more."