CITY politicians are planning a summit on how York can best be involved in efforts to help in the Syrian refugee crisis.

The city council's deputy leader Cllr Keith Aspden is planning to invite people from key organisations in the city to a round-table discussion.

He said: “I am pleased that the Prime Minister has belatedly begun to recognise that the UK has a moral responsibility to help with the Syrian refugee crisis.

“As a city we need to play our part in this. There is already fantastic work going on in York and the meeting next week will look at how we can build on this. It will bring together representatives from the community and voluntary sector to decide how York can help and what capacity there is to take in refugees."

This follows David Cameron's announcement that the UK is prepared to re-settle nearly 20,000 Syrian refugees by 2020, with some support will be offered by Government to local councils.

Cllr Aspden added: “Earlier today I spoke to local government representatives from across the country about the situation. Local councils stand ready to help, but we need confirmation from the Government that it is prepared to provide sustainable financial support in order to make this happen.”

Invitations to the meeting next week will be going out to voluntary sector organisations in York.