Proposals to eject organisations supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our society from Palingswick House in Hammersmith so that they can be replaced by one of the government's flagship free schools are deplorable (Report, 18 January). The Refugee Council has long supported the organisations there, which have provided vital services for more than 25 years. Not only will these proposals seriously affect refugees that rely on these voluntary-led organisations for language courses and employment training, but they also will be detrimental to the local area, by adding pressure on other local services to fill this gap, and hindering the integration of refugees and asylum seekers into the community.
It is ironic that the Conservative-led local authority would decimate such a fine example of the government's "big society" – a place that brings communities together under one roof in order to promote community cohesion.
Donna Covey
Chief executive, Refugee Council