Bexley has not housed a single Syrian family since the migrant crisis hit last summer, despite one of the borough's MPs encouraging well-off areas to do their bit.

James Brokenshire was forced to admit that no asylum seekers have so far been accepted by Bexley Council last night (February 11), when questioned in the House of Commons.

Just days earlier, the Old Bexley and Sidcup MP had urged authorities in prosperous areas to take their fair share of migrants, as some councillors complained they were over-burdened.

David Cameron has offered 20,000 Syrians sanctuary.

However, Bexley Council have since revealed that some of the country's unaccompanied asylum seeking children are being cared for in the borough.

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A spokesman said: "We have great sympathy for the people fleeing Syria.

"There is presently limited capacity in Bexley to house refugees given the number of homeless people we are already trying to find homes for.

"We currently have over 700 households in temporary and emergency accommodation, a number of which have had to be located outside of the borough.

"Bexley is currently supporting some Syrian unaccompanied asylum seeking children.

"We have not refused to help Syrian refugee households and we will continue to monitor the situation closely but would want to be confident that other needs – such as school places, health and social care – could also be met should we offer assistance."

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According to the Mail Online, the latest census shows that three quarters of Bexley residents are white British, and only 14 per cent were born outside the UK.

It is one of the greenest boroughs in London, and has low rates of unemployment and poverty.

James Brokenshire told News Shopper that asylum seekers tend to be housed in areas where there is "a more readily available stock of affordable housing".

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The government is working to increase the number of participating councils in areas – such as the north west and north east of England – where some authorities are under particular pressures, he added.

Mr Brokenshire said: "London and the south east has tended to focus on short term accommodation and we obviously saw some asylum seekers accommodated in the borough for a short period last year."

In August, a group of asylum seekers were housed in a Travelodge on Sidcup High Street.

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Picture: Gary Wright

Among them was a trainee doctor, who said he fled Aleppo after his home was destroyed.

The 55-year-old said: "People were trying to kill us. I am glad I am in England now, where it is safe.

"The hotel was very comfortable, we were given food and had television.

"We were surprised that the English people have been so nice to us."

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