A year ago I noted that despite all the virtue signalling the record of Hammersmith and Fulham Council when it comes to providing sanctuary to Syrian refugees was derisory.
At that time the total we had taken under the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement scheme was only three. Now, according to the latest official figures, it has risen to ten.
By contrast these are the numbers for some other London boroughs.
Barnet – 40.
Brent – 18.
Camden – 75.
Hackney – 24.
Kingston – 27.
Lambeth – 70.
Lewisham – 32.
Newham – 61
Richmond – 12.
It’s true that some other councils haven’t taken any. But the particular issue with Hammersmith and Fulham is the hypocrisy. All the boastfulness and publicity seeking about how caring they are. Yet many other councils – Labour and Conservative – that didn’t issue press releases have quietly got on with doing much more.