After promising last week that the UK would fulfil its "moral responsibilities" with regard to the migrant crisis, Prime Minister David Cameron has announced the number of refugees that will be resettled in the UK.
David Cameron
"We have already provided sanctuary to more than 5,000 Syrian refugees in Britain… but given the scale of the crisis and suffering of the Syrian people it is right we do much more," he told the commons.
Mr Cameron confirmed that Britain will resettle 20,000 refugees from camps bordering Syria by 2020. The Prime Minister said that a "direct and safe" route to the UK would be provided for vulnerable refugees, who would otherwise make the "hazardous" journey across the Mediterranean by boat. Refugees will be given five-year humanitarian protection visas.
"We will continue to show the world that this country is a country of extraordinary compassion, always standing up for our values and helping those in need," said Mr Cameron.
However, the Archbishop of Canterbury described the announcement as "a very slim response". Acting Labour leader Harriet Harman also asked the PM how many refugees would be accepted this year given the urgency of the crisis, but Mr Cameron declined to answer before discussions with local councils.
The Prime Minister told the commons, "This is clearly the biggest challenge facing countries in Europe today."
European leaders are due to meet on 14 September to discuss the migration crisis.
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