Saqib Bhatti, Member of Parliament for Meriden has commended Birmingham Airport, Solihull Council and local community groups like Entraide in Chelmsley Wood for their joint efforts in resettling refugees from Afghanistan.
Speaking in the House of Commons in its first sitting since summer recess, Saqib said:
“The majority of people who came to this country from Afghanistan came via Birmingham Airport in my constituency.
“Will my Right Hon. Friend (the Prime Minister) join me in commending the team at Birmingham Airport, Solihull Council, third sector organisations like Entraide at Three Trees Community Centre who welcomed nearly a thousand people a day and sometimes many, many children and young babies?”
The Prime Minister readily gave his backing and added:
“I want to thank everybody who has been involved, the border force officials, everybody in the councils who has been at the front line of dealing with this crisis, I think they have done it with exceptional humanity and compassion”.
Nick Barton, Chief Executive Officer of Birmingham Airport commented:
“We would like to thank Saqib, and the Prime Minister, for their kind words towards Birmingham Airport and as noted this was a multi-agency humanitarian effort.
“The airport stepped up with its infrastructure and staffing but, this was an enormous cross-sector effort with 100+ people working around the clock supporting every aspect of the operation.
“Working collectively with the local authority, emergency services, volunteer groups, our on-site partners, Government agencies and local charities ensured the welfare of these arriving passengers.”
