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UK councils call for more money to support extra refugees UK councils call for more money to support extra refugees
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David Cameron must make resources available to support essential public services if Britain is to open its doors to more Syrian refugees, council chiefs have said. David Cameron must make resources available to support essential public services if Britain is to open its doors to more Syrian refugees, council leaders have said.
In the face of intense domestic and international pressure, the prime minister announced on Friday that the UK would resettle thousands more people from the refugee camps in the countries bordering Syria.In the face of intense domestic and international pressure, the prime minister announced on Friday that the UK would resettle thousands more people from the refugee camps in the countries bordering Syria.
The Labour leadership contender Yvette Cooper said 40 councils had already responded to her appeal to offer sanctuary to people fleeing the country’s bloody civil war.The Labour leadership contender Yvette Cooper said 40 councils had already responded to her appeal to offer sanctuary to people fleeing the country’s bloody civil war.
However, the Local Government Association said significant sums were already being spent supporting refugees in the UK and that additional funding from Whitehall would be needed. However, the Local Government Association (LGA) said significant sums were already being spent supporting refugees in the UK and that additional funding from Whitehall would be needed.
David Simmonds, of the LGA’s asylum, refugee and migrant taskforce, said councils in England were taking 2,000 unaccompanied refugee children a year at a cost of £50,000 per child. A further £150m was being spent annually on destitute families who had had their asylum applications turned down but who remained in the UK. Related: Germany prepares for up to 10,000 refugee arrivals - live updates
“If we are going to scale those numbers up significantly we need to make sure that those kinds of resources are available to England’s councils and also other public services to make sure that we have what is required in terms of school places, hospital beds, GPs, that sort of thing,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. David Simmonds, of the LGA’s asylum, refugee and migrant taskforce, said councils in England were taking 2,000 unaccompanied refugee children a year at a cost of £50,000 per child. A further £150m was being spent annually on destitute families who had had their asylum applications turned down but remained in the UK.
He said councils would welcome it if other families followed the example of Bob Geldof, who has offered to put up four refugee families at his homes in Kent and London. But he suggested the priority would be to place refugees who were already in the UK rather than those awaiting re-settlement from the camps. He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “If we are going to scale those numbers up significantly, we need to make sure that those kinds of resources are available to England’s councils and also other public services to make sure that we have what is required in terms of school places, hospital beds, GPs, that sort of thing.”
“I am sure that many local councils would be delighted if those who have got space are making that offer because I am sure that we could offer those places to some of the refugee families who are already in the UK,” he said. He said councils would welcome it if other families followed the example of Bob Geldof, who has offered to put up four refugee families at his homes in Kent and London. But he suggested the priority would be to place refugees who were already in the UK rather than those awaiting resettlement from the camps.
Simmonds said: “I am sure that many local councils would be delighted if those who have got space are making that offer, because I am sure we could offer those places to some of the refugee families who are already in the UK.”
Cooper, who earlier this week called for the UK to take 10,000 refugees, said local authorities had shown a “rising sense of moral purpose” and it was now up to the government to respond.Cooper, who earlier this week called for the UK to take 10,000 refugees, said local authorities had shown a “rising sense of moral purpose” and it was now up to the government to respond.
The shadow home secretary said that within 24 hours of her asking councils in England, Scotland and Wales if they would be prepared to help provide places for refugees, more than 40 had offered support. The shadow home secretary said that, within 24 hours of asking councils in England, Scotland and Wales if they would be prepared to help provide places for refugees, more than 40 had offered support.
“There is a real determination and rising sense of moral purpose across Britain to help desperate families. But now the prime minister needs to match it,” she said. She said: “There is a real determination and rising sense of moral purpose across Britain to help desperate families. But now the prime minister needs to match it.”
Cameron said the UK would act with “our head and our heart” in expanding an existing programme to resettle vulnerable refugees from the camps bordering Syria.Cameron said the UK would act with “our head and our heart” in expanding an existing programme to resettle vulnerable refugees from the camps bordering Syria.
Critics pointed out that his statement said nothing about helping the tens of thousands who have entered the EU and were struggling to make their way across the continent in the hope of claiming asylum in the wealthier northern nations.Critics pointed out that his statement said nothing about helping the tens of thousands who have entered the EU and were struggling to make their way across the continent in the hope of claiming asylum in the wealthier northern nations.
However a Populus poll of 1,689 people, reported in the Times, suggested the country was divided over the right response to the crisis. A narrow majority of 51% -said they did not believe the government needed to go any further. A Populus poll of 1,689 people, reported in the Times, suggested the country was divided over the right response to the crisis. A narrow majority of 51% said they did not believe the government needed to go any further.
So far, just 216 Syrians have been admitted to the UK under the scheme to help the most vulnerable people in refugee camps, while a further 5,000 have been granted asylum over the last four years. So far, just 216 Syrians have been admitted to the UK under the scheme to help the most vulnerable people in refugee camps, while a further 5,000 have been granted asylum over the past four years.