‘We need a simplified process in place for enabling Ukrainian refugees to seek safety in the UK’

• I STAND shoulder to shoulder with Ukrainians here in London and all over the world. The relentless Russian onslaught is fast turning the conflict into a humanitarian crisis.

Lighting up buildings blue and yellow isn’t enough. We cannot publicly say we’re doing everything to help Ukraine as we turn our backs on those desperately in need of help.

The government must ensure those fleeing indiscriminate Russian aggression are given sanctuary in our capital and across the country.

We need a simplified process in place for enabling Ukrainian refugees to seek safety in the UK.

We also need to see the toughest sanctions possible imposed on Vladimir Putin and his cronies, who have used London’s property market to stash their cash for far too long.

An estimated £1.1billion of London property is owned by Russians accused of corruption or who have links to the Kremlin.

I support the Sadiq Khan’s calls to seize all property belonging to Putin’s allies, to raise property taxes on non-resident buyers and have a transparent register of property ownership.

London can no longer be used and abused as a money-laundering playground by oligarchs linked to the Putin regime. The government must act decisively.

SEM MOEMA
Labour London Assembly Member for North East London
(Hackney, Islington, & Waltham Forest)