Agenda item

9.03pm - Councillor Christabel Cooper moved, seconded by Councillor Helen Rowbottom, the special motion in their names:

“This Council recognises that Hammersmith & Fulham has strong European and international ties, with over 40% of the population born outside of the UK from over 100 different countries. The Council believes that migrants have made an important contribution to the civic, cultural and economic life of both the United Kingdom and this borough, with many delivering essential public services to residents.

This Council believes that the Tory government’s planned Immigration Bill which would end freedom of movement after Britain leaves the EU, discriminates against low-paid workers and will have negative impacts on many people who live and work in the borough. It notes that this is likely to lead to workforce pressures, particularly in the health and social care fields and in construction and development; this is most likely to occur in social care services, where a 3% increase in staffing costs would amount to additional annual costs of £1.4m.

The Council condemns the Tory government’s “Hostile Environment” measures which have turned landlords and public service providers into border guards and resulted in the inhumane treatment of many migrants who have contributed for decades to the life and economy of this country.

The Council therefore:

·         welcomes the unanimous decision of delegates at the 2019 Labour Party Conference to support free movement, equality and rights for migrants whether Britain remains within the European Union or whether it leaves

·         demands that the government to scrap all Hostile Environment measures

·         opposes the Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination Bill which is currently being debated in Parliament

·         resolves to challenge anti-immigrant narratives and to take positive action to ensure that all migrants feel welcome in Hammersmith & Fulham, through events such as the Community Day and through promoting a message of cohesion with 200 lamp post banners across the borough stating that ‘Everyone’s Welcome in Hammersmith & Fulham’.”

Speeches on the special motion were made by Councillors Christabel Cooper, Helen Rowbottom (who made her maiden speech), and Iain Cassidy (for the Administration) - and Councillor Andrew Brown (for the Opposition).

Councillor Christabel Cooper summed up the debate before the motion was put to the vote:

FOR                            32

AGAINST                   11

NOT VOTING            0

The special motion was declared CARRIED.

9.27pm – RESOLVED

This Council recognises that Hammersmith & Fulham has strong European and international ties, with over 40% of the population born outside of the UK from over 100 different countries. The Council believes that migrants have made an important contribution to the civic, cultural and economic life of both the United Kingdom and this borough, with many delivering essential public services to residents.

This Council believes that the Tory government’s planned Immigration Bill which would end freedom of movement after Britain leaves the EU, discriminates against low-paid workers and will have negative impacts on many people who live and work in the borough. It notes that this is likely to lead to workforce pressures, particularly in the health and social care fields and in construction and development; this is most likely to occur in social care services, where a 3% increase in staffing costs would amount to additional annual costs of £1.4m.

The Council condemns the Tory government’s “Hostile Environment” measures which have turned landlords and public service providers into border guards and resulted in the inhumane treatment of many migrants who have contributed for decades to the life and economy of this country.

The Council therefore:

·         welcomes the unanimous decision of delegates at the 2019 Labour Party Conference to support free movement, equality and rights for migrants whether Britain remains within the European Union or whether it leaves

·         demands that the government to scrap all Hostile Environment measures

·         opposes the Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination Bill which is currently being debated in Parliament

·         resolves to challenge anti-immigrant narratives and to take positive action to ensure that all migrants feel welcome in Hammersmith & Fulham, through events such as the Community Day and through promoting a message of cohesion with 200 lamp post banners across the borough stating that ‘Everyone’s Welcome in Hammersmith & Fulham’.