There can be no disagreement regarding the dreadful plight of refugees and the humanitarian responsibilities of safe areas in the rest of the world to offer asylum, but I must take issue with the legal profession’s statement (UK offer to take 20,000 Syrian refugees is too little, say judges, 12 October). Governments have responsibilities for all their citizens, and this includes giving careful consideration to the practical issues the numbers of refugees would have on the resident population in housing, education and health provision.
Among the letters on the same day were several concerning the housing crisis. In recent days there have been reports about the NHS overspend and the need for many more school places.
It is all very well for people with good incomes, living in high value housing and probably in a position to afford private healthcare and education, to take the moral high ground. But consider the situation of the less fortunate on low incomes, in temporary accommodation, relying on the NHS and local school provision, who find their wait for services to be provided gets even longer as an already overstretched system is not coping with current needs.
Whether the 20,000 is too small is a matter for debate, but a balance must be struck.
Cheryl Smith
Gravesend, Kent
