“Little Portugal” needs more support
April 2005

Labour councillors and representatives from the Portuguese community

The official representative of the Portuguese Community in Lambeth has spoken at a council meeting to call for better services for the his community. Members of the Portuguese media, along with other representatives of the Portuguese community attended the meeting to add weight to his campaign, which was organised with the help of Labour Councillors

Antonio Cunha’s campaign has struck a chord with Portuguese people living in the borough. He has collected over 5000 signatures for a petition calling for the council to establish a Portuguese Community Centre.

There are 27,000 Portuguese people living in Lambeth, representing one of the largest ethnic communities in the borough. But Mr Cunha feels that they are being let down by the Liberal run council which is ignoring them. He says a community centre would provide a base for services such as English courses, advice on training and benefits and child care. He also believes a community centre would improve communication between the council and the Portuguese Community

Antonio Cunha said:

“We are not getting the support we need from Lambeth Council. Many Portuguese people have difficulty integrating into life in the UK because of problems with

Councillor Pete Bowyer meets Antonio Cunha

language, money, childcare and the absence of a network of people to support them.“

“The council should be doing far more to help the Portuguese community but it feels like we are being taken for granted”

Peter Bowyer, Labour Councillor in Stockwell:

“The Lib Dems and Tories are notorious for not listening the communities they are supposed to serve. The Portuguese Community in Lambeth are being ignored by the council and its time for this to change.”

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