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Syrian refugees in new scheme 'to arrive in UK soon' - May Syrian refugees in new scheme 'to arrive in UK soon' - May
(34 minutes later)
The first wave of Syrian refugees to be taken in under the government's expanded resettlement scheme will arrive in Britain "in the coming days", Home Secretary Theresa May has said. The first Syrian refugees to be taken in under the government's expanded resettlement scheme will arrive in Britain "in the coming days", Home Secretary Theresa May has said.
The UK has pledged to take up to 20,000 refugees over the next five years.The UK has pledged to take up to 20,000 refugees over the next five years.
Labour's Andy Burnham welcomed the move "as far as it went" but questioned whether more refugees should be taken.Labour's Andy Burnham welcomed the move "as far as it went" but questioned whether more refugees should be taken.
It comes as it was announced that Royal Navy ship HMS Richmond will be deployed to help tackle people smugglers.It comes as it was announced that Royal Navy ship HMS Richmond will be deployed to help tackle people smugglers.
The warship will be deployed for two months to board and seize vessels off the coast of Libya.The warship will be deployed for two months to board and seize vessels off the coast of Libya.
'Meticulous planning''Meticulous planning'
The government has said it will only take refugees from UN camps on the border with Syria, rather than taking part in a proposed EU-wide resettlement scheme for refugees who have already arrived in Europe.The government has said it will only take refugees from UN camps on the border with Syria, rather than taking part in a proposed EU-wide resettlement scheme for refugees who have already arrived in Europe.
In a Commons statement, Mrs May said many refugees had been through "heart shattering" experiences and seen loved ones die.In a Commons statement, Mrs May said many refugees had been through "heart shattering" experiences and seen loved ones die.
Mrs May told MPs: "I know that honourable members and the general public are keen to know more detail on the numbers and when people are expected to arrive.Mrs May told MPs: "I know that honourable members and the general public are keen to know more detail on the numbers and when people are expected to arrive.
"But I must underline that the scale of the expansion needs careful and meticulous planning to ensure we get it right.""But I must underline that the scale of the expansion needs careful and meticulous planning to ensure we get it right."
The government was "working at speed" to plan for even more arrivals in the coming weeks, she said.The government was "working at speed" to plan for even more arrivals in the coming weeks, she said.
She did not say how many refugees would arrive in the first wave, but the BBC's Daniel Sandford said he understood the government was aiming to take about 400 people a month.She did not say how many refugees would arrive in the first wave, but the BBC's Daniel Sandford said he understood the government was aiming to take about 400 people a month.
The UN was able to send people quickly, but security checks by the UK authorities would take time, he added.The UN was able to send people quickly, but security checks by the UK authorities would take time, he added.
'Clarity needed''Clarity needed'
Shadow home secretary Mr Burnham said with winter approaching and temperatures dropping, there needed to be an "urgent solution" to stop more refugees risking dangerous voyages by boat to Europe.Shadow home secretary Mr Burnham said with winter approaching and temperatures dropping, there needed to be an "urgent solution" to stop more refugees risking dangerous voyages by boat to Europe.
"The measures that were announced last week, in response it has to be said to huge public pressure, were welcome as far as they go," he said. He welcomed last week's announcement the UK would accept 20,000 further refugees, but stressed there needed to be "clarity on headline figures".
Mr Burnham stressed that there needed to be "clarity on headline figures", adding that "the big question, of course, on the government's response to date is whether it is in any way commensurate with the scale of this crisis". He also queried whether the government's decision not to take any refugees from Europe was sustainable "from a moral and a practical point of view".
The home secretary said she would update Parliament on the numbers in due course.The home secretary said she would update Parliament on the numbers in due course.
Europe has been struggling to deal with a huge influx of refugees. Most are fleeing the conflict in Syria but large numbers are also escaping from violence and poverty in Afghanistan, Eritrea and Kosovo.Europe has been struggling to deal with a huge influx of refugees. Most are fleeing the conflict in Syria but large numbers are also escaping from violence and poverty in Afghanistan, Eritrea and Kosovo.
In the latest developments, Hungary has closed its border with Serbia by building a new razor-wire fence.In the latest developments, Hungary has closed its border with Serbia by building a new razor-wire fence.
Several other countries have tightened their border controls, including Germany, Austria and the Netherlands.Several other countries have tightened their border controls, including Germany, Austria and the Netherlands.
The vast of majority of Syrian refugees have fled to neighbouring countries such as Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan.The vast of majority of Syrian refugees have fled to neighbouring countries such as Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan.