SOUTHAMPTON will support refugees fleeing the Taliban in Afghanistan, it has been confirmed.

Cllr Dan Fitzhenry, leader of Southampton City Council, said the authority is working with the government to support and welcome refugees.

Further details are yet to be revealed.

But Cllr Fitzhenry said the authority is committed to supporting those in need.

It comes as hundreds of Afghans have been trying to flee the country after the Taliban seized control of the capital Kabul earlier this month.

The government has promised to resettle up to 20,000 Afghan refugees in the UK.

It is not yet known how many people will be supported by Southampton City Council.

But Cllr Fitzhenry said: “We will be supporting, housing and settling Afghan refugees and we have been working on this for a number of weeks. We just need to work out what we can do and we are working on it at the moment. We are absolutely committed to help those who need our help. We have been working with the government over a number of weeks to support Afghan refugees. We are closely working with the government and other parties to ensure that we can do the best as a city to support those who need it.”

The news comes as Cllr Satvir Kaur, leader of the opposition, previously called on the council to support refugees.

She said: “As the desperate humanitarian crisis escalates in Afghanistan, we have a moral and legal responsibility as a Country to protect those fleeing violence and persecution. I’m disappointed that while other local authorities in the region declared their support to those most in need early on, Southampton Tories remained painfully silent until they were asked to respond.

“We are a proud City of Sanctuary, that has welcomed people for centuries.”

Southampton Itchen MP Royston Smith previously said the city should accept “a fair number of refugees and displaced families”.

Alan Whitehead, MP for Southampton Test, added: “Southampton has a proud history of welcoming people from across the world who have needed sanctuary. We should of course continue this by playing our part in welcoming refugees from Afghanistan.”