Refugees - Catherine West

My column for the Ham & High: UK treatment of refugees is source of shame

Here’s my latest column for the Ham & High on the UK’s treatment of refugees, not just from Ukraine but from Afghanistan, Syria and beyond. “This year I marked International Women’s Day at an Amnesty International roundtable with Afghan women human rights defenders. I met amazing women, former Ambassadors, Ministers…

Nationality & Borders Bill

Many constituents have been in touch to express deep concern over the Home Secretary’s plans to strip individuals of their British Citizens without warning. It has been good to hear from so many people, many of whom are contacting their MP for the first time. I share your concerns; I…

Afghanistan Update: how can local residents help?

So many people across Hornsey & Wood Green have got in touch in recent weeks to express their sorrow at the desperate situation in Afghanistan and ask how they can help refugees arriving here in London. Haringey Giving have launched a fundraising appeal here In my regular meeting with Haringey…

Afghanistan Evacuation: my letter to the Foreign Secretary

Afghanistan Evacuation: my letter to the Foreign Secretary I have serious concerns about the Government’s ongoing handling of the evacuation of British nationals and eligible Afghans following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan and the departure of UK and US troops. Over the past weeks my office has been inundated with…

Deportation flight to Zimbabwe

I have received lots of emails from constituents who are rightly concerned about the Government’s plans for a deportation flight to Zimbabwe later this week. I share all your concerns and have urgently raised this with the Minister for Future Borders and Immigration. Many of those who are scheduled for the…

Napier Barracks

In recent weeks I’ve been contacted by many in our community who have shared their serious concerns about the UK’s ongoing mistreatment of refugees, particularly the Government’s decision to house refugees in disused military barracks. This is completely unacceptable. Labour firmly believes that the UK should be a welcoming and…

Response from Immigration Minister

Following the tragic death of a Sudanese man in the Channel over the summer, I wrote to the Home Secretary on 19 August to ask what action she’s taking together with the French authorities to prevent further such loss of life and ensure the UK steps up to its duty to these…

Letter to Home Secretary – loss of life in the Channel

Following the tragic death of a young man in the Channel today, I have written to the Home Secretary Priti Patel to ask what action she’s taking together with the French authorities to prevent further such loss of life and ensure the UK steps up to its duty to these vulnerable…

Catherine West MP tables Bill to lift the ban on asylum seekers working

Catherine West, Labour MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, will be bringing a Bill to Parliament this Wednesday 20 February aimed at allowing people seeking asylum in the UK the right to work. The bill, which is supported by MPs including the Conservative Caroline Spelman and Liberal Democrat Christine Jardine,…

Everywhere You Look Doors Are Being Shut To Refugees – Britain Can Do Better