Jeremy Corbyn has accused David Cameron of failing to reflect the humanity of British people, after a new poll suggested 1.8 million households in the UK would offer a room to a refugee.
The Labour leader called on the Prime Minister to abandon his current refusal to sign up to an EU-wide quota system to reallocate hundreds of thousands of refugees who have fled to Europe.
It comes ahead of a crucial emergency summit of EU leaders in Brussels tonight, where Mr Cameron will come under pressure to explain why the UK has only pledged to take in just 20,000 refugees from Syrian camps over the next five years and none from those already in Europe.
New research provided to The Independent by the Charities Aid Foundation found that almost one in three UK adults had got involved in some capacity with the outpouring of public support for refugees in the past month.
Jeremy Corbyn addresses a march in support of refugees in Parliament Square, London, shortly after he as announced as Labour's new leader
One in 14 people - the equivalent of almost two million UK households - said they would be prepared to offer a room or space in their home to a refugee, the Populus poll found.
Mr Corbyn said this research showed a significant disconnect between the government policy and public opinion towards the refugee crisis.
He told The Independent: "Refugees are welcome - and the British people have again demonstrated their humanity, which has sadly not been reflected by our government. The refugee crisis - in pictures
"The UK should be participating in the EU quota scheme, easing the burden on poorer nations that are struggling to cope".
The Prime Minister insists the UK government has done more than any other European country in terms of offering aid and support to the camps in and around Syria, which are housing the vast bulk of the four million people who have fled the country after four years of civil war.
Hundreds of refugees who arrived by train at Hegyeshalom on the Hungarian and Austrian border walk the four kilometres into Austria, in Hegyeshalom, Hungary
But charities, humanitarian groups and political leaders have urged Mr Cameron to step up Britain's efforts to help alleviate the growing refugee crisis engulfing Europe.
Anna Musgrave, from the Refugee Council charity, said Conservative ministers needed to show the "same generosity of spirit" as the people they represent.
Refugees queue to register at a camp after crossing the Greek-Macedonian border near Gevgelija
"British people clearly want us to be doing our bit to help shelter the refugees arriving on Europe's shores: it's up to the Government to make sure that happens. It's never too late for the Government to do the right thing," she said.
Last night EU governments forced through a deal to share 120,000 refugees across the continent but Britain has opted out of justice and home affairs issues so legally does not have to participate in the scheme.
It means the UK will not be forced to take in a mandatory number of refugees assigned by the EU, unlike other nations who opposed the move, such as Hungary Czech Republic, Romania and Slovakia, will have to take part.
But Peter Sutherland, the UN's Special Representative for International Migration, told The Independent that the UK had a duty to participate in the quota regardless, criticising him for failing to recognise the difference between legal and moral obligations.
And he urged the Prime Minister and fellow EU leaders to acknowledge public opinion to show greater solidarity and to take in its “fair share” of refugees, praising the "commendable" response from the British people.
Yvette Cooper, chair of Labour's Refugee Taskforce, said the public had already pressurised the Government in changing its policy to the refugee crisis and demanded that ministers again realise the strength of support for "fare more" than 20,000 refugees to be given a place in the UK.
Yvette Cooper said there was a big disconnect between the Government's policy on the refugee crisis and public opinion
Speaking to The Independent, Ms Cooper said: “The outpouring of sympathy and generosity from the British public towards refugees fleeing conflict, violence and persecution has been incredible. Millions of people have offered food, clothes, blankets and even space in their own homes.
"There is no doubt it is only public pressure on the Government which has made them shift their position to take 4,000 refugees a year. They must now go much further, working with local communities and local government to take far more refugees in the coming weeks – both from the camps in and around Syria and from amongst those who have already travelled to Europe.”
Meanwhile the Green party leader Natalie Bennett described the UK government's response as "embarrassing" and "completely out of touch".
She told The Independent: “David Cameron’s promise to take in just 12 refugees per day until 2020 is nothing short of embarrassing, as other EU countries do all they can to welcome as many refugees as possible.
“This survey, as well as the enormous Refugees Welcome march that I joined in London earlier this month, proves that our government is completely out of touch with the public on this issue, and that people are willing to accept our fair share.
"Where David Cameron sees refugees as a problem and a threat, most people have been moved by the desperate situation these people are facing and have felt a desire to help.
“It is time the government listened to the people and showed the kindness and humanity that is so often lacking in its policymaking.”
