OPPOSITION Reform councillors in Thurrock have issued scathing criticism of the borough council for its plans to borrow close to £2 million to build new homes for temporary homeless and asylum seeking legal refugees from Afghanistan.

The project, which will allow Thurrock to tap in to a further £1.8 million from the government, was approved by the council's Labour cabinet last week.

The council plans to purchase and build at least 14 modular homes, four of which have been earmarked for those arriving via the Afghan Resettlement Programme.

Thurrock Reform Group Leader Cllr Alex Anderson said: "The council want to borrow a seven figure sum to part-fund the purchase of 14 modular homes in Thurrock, 30% of which are specifically earmarked for Afghan resettlement.

"Many of those I represent in Stanford and Corringham will either be, or know families that have been sitting on the Council's housing list for years and years.

"It's not in their interest for their council to earmark some properties as reserved for only a particular community. I think it makes a mockery of the system.

"Whether through sky-high groceries, costly energy prices or historically high rents, working-class people are suffering, it's time we made tackling this the priority."

While Reform are keen to make their point, many Thurrock residents have expressed their support for offering a home in the borough to those fleeing Afghan and their families, typified by this comment: "Afghanis are ones that supported and aided the British Army and government during the Afghan War.

"These people and their families are at extreme risk of torture and murder by the Taliban because of this. From translators to drivers, these people helped British soldiers stay safer in a highly volatile conflict. It is not charity, we are repaying a debt owed by the bravery of these Afghans."