Richmond Council responds to misleading reporting on leisure access

Statement from Councillor Julia Neden-Watts, Deputy Leader of Richmond Council.

“Richmond Council is proud to support all residents to lead active, healthy lives - regardless of their immigration status. Promoting access to sport and exercise not only improves individual wellbeing but also helps reduce isolation and strengthen community connections.
 
“It is particularly disappointing that, at a time of heightened tensions regarding sanctuary seekers, some media outlets have contributed to these tensions by running stories without first ascertaining the facts. In point of fact the vast majority of those seeking sanctuary in our borough are those who have arrived in this country either by legal routes, including those offered to Ukrainians, Hong Kong British Nationals and Afghans, or they are unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.
 
“It is also disappointing that no mention has been made of the fact that by far the greatest number of recipients of the Fairer Access Concession are British nationals living in emergency accommodation; instead the misleading impression has been given that those seeking sanctuary in this borough are in some way receiving preferential treatment, thereby adding to the aforementioned heightened tensions.
 
“Finally, it should be noted that access to the Sanctuary Seeker Concession is funded through Government grants and makes use of existing facilities and resources, so there is no additional cost to the Council taxpayer and no impact on availability of services for other users.”