The Government's response to the refugee crisis has been "appalling".

That's according to Brentford & Isleworth MP Ruth Cadbury, who claims the UK should have acted sooner to help those fleeing war-torn Syria.

The Labour MP said her office had been inundated with calls and emails from constituents shocked at TV footage of people risking their lives in search of safety.

She claimed the UK should be doing more to help those people after the "unimaginable hardship" they had endured.

"David Cameron appears, slowly, to be bowing to public pressure, thanks to the millions of people nationally that have been raising this issue, including hundreds of my constituents that have contacted me directly," she said.

"The lateness of the UK government's response is quite frankly appalling. We opened our doors to refugees in previous times including the Jews fleeing Hitler and the Uganda Asians fleeing Idi Amin.

"Those people and their children have more than repaid their debt to our country; contributing economically, socially and culturally to our nation. We should do the same again for those now escaping war, violence, terrorism and rape."

Her comments came as the Government announced on Friday (September 4) that the UK would accept "thousands more" Syrian refugees and was in discussions with non-governmental organisations (NGO) and other partners about the precise arrangements.

Refugees in Kos, Greece (Getty Images)

The Government says it has already granted humanitarian protection to nearly 5,000 Syrians since 2011, under its normal asylum procedures.

As well as taking in more refugees the Government promised to continue working to address the conflict in Syria and tackling the criminal smuggling gangs it said were exploiting vulnerable migrants.

The Prime Minister said: "Britain will act with our head and our heart, providing refuge for those in need while working on long term solutions to this crisis.

"As I said earlier in the week, that means bringing to an end to the conflicts that are driving so many to flee, including the bloodbath that has engulfed Syria."

Ms Cadbury said she had asked Hounslow Council leader Steve Curran to ensure the borough would support at least 10 refugee families and claimed he had said he was happy to do so if adequate government funding was provided.

She has also signed a Parliamentary motion calling on the Government to accept many more refugees, rekindling the "spirit of the Kinder-Transport" for Jewish children fleeing Nazi rule.

She advised constituents wanting to do their bit to donate to charities including Save the Children, British Red Cross and Migrant Offshore Aid Station.