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Councils need clarity over refugees - Local Government Association Councils need clarity over refugees - Local Government Association
(about 1 hour later)
Key issues regarding the resettlement of 20,000 Syrian refugees to the UK still need to be "urgently resolved", the Local Government Association says.Key issues regarding the resettlement of 20,000 Syrian refugees to the UK still need to be "urgently resolved", the Local Government Association says.
The first refugees to come to the UK since the government announced it was expanding its protection scheme arrived on Tuesday.The first refugees to come to the UK since the government announced it was expanding its protection scheme arrived on Tuesday.
But the LGA said councils still did not know how the scheme would work, or what financial support they would get.But the LGA said councils still did not know how the scheme would work, or what financial support they would get.
However, the Home Office said it was working closely with local authorities.However, the Home Office said it was working closely with local authorities.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister David Cameron pledged to take 20,000 Syrians living in camps bordering Syria by 2020.Earlier this month, Prime Minister David Cameron pledged to take 20,000 Syrians living in camps bordering Syria by 2020.
They will arrive as part of an extension to an existing scheme to take Syrian refugees.They will arrive as part of an extension to an existing scheme to take Syrian refugees.
The government has not disclosed whether the first of those to arrive were in one group, nor has it clarified whether they were already due to arrive before the scheme was expanded.The government has not disclosed whether the first of those to arrive were in one group, nor has it clarified whether they were already due to arrive before the scheme was expanded.
'An unfair burden''An unfair burden'
But the LGA - which represents 414 local authorities in England and Wales - said authorities remain in the dark over key details, including details of who is coming to the UK and what their needs might be.But the LGA - which represents 414 local authorities in England and Wales - said authorities remain in the dark over key details, including details of who is coming to the UK and what their needs might be.
David Simmonds, chairman of the LGA's refugee task group, said councils across the UK were coming forward with offers to help Syrian refugees.David Simmonds, chairman of the LGA's refugee task group, said councils across the UK were coming forward with offers to help Syrian refugees.
"We are pressing government on exactly how the scheme will operate," he said."We are pressing government on exactly how the scheme will operate," he said.
"We need to know who is arriving and when in order to ensure that we have the right homes, school places, and other support that may be required."We need to know who is arriving and when in order to ensure that we have the right homes, school places, and other support that may be required.
"There are a number of issues that need to be urgently resolved, in particular the need for a firm commitment that councils resettling refugees will receive full financial support, in order that it is not seen later as an unfair burden on communities that open their doors.""There are a number of issues that need to be urgently resolved, in particular the need for a firm commitment that councils resettling refugees will receive full financial support, in order that it is not seen later as an unfair burden on communities that open their doors."
What happens when the migrants arrive?What happens when the migrants arrive?
Analysis by Dominic Casciani, home affairs correspondent, BBC NewsAnalysis by Dominic Casciani, home affairs correspondent, BBC News
Once someone has been identified and approved, they have full legal rights to settle in the UK for five years - and for the first months, they will be accompanied every step of the way into their new life.Once someone has been identified and approved, they have full legal rights to settle in the UK for five years - and for the first months, they will be accompanied every step of the way into their new life.
When they arrive in the UK, they are met at the airport by a welcome team who take them to their new home. And the next morning, their personalised integration plan begins.When they arrive in the UK, they are met at the airport by a welcome team who take them to their new home. And the next morning, their personalised integration plan begins.
Just like anyone else, they can work and claim benefits. Everything about life in the UK is explained to them in briefings and classes.Just like anyone else, they can work and claim benefits. Everything about life in the UK is explained to them in briefings and classes.
School places are ready for their children, there is a GP already set up to take them on and, where necessary, specialists to work on their long-term health problems.School places are ready for their children, there is a GP already set up to take them on and, where necessary, specialists to work on their long-term health problems.
There are trips to the job centre and colleges for those ready to go back to work or study.There are trips to the job centre and colleges for those ready to go back to work or study.
What awaits refugees arriving in the UK?What awaits refugees arriving in the UK?
'Very vulnerable''Very vulnerable'
The refugees who arrived in the UK as part of the vulnerable persons resettlement (VPR) scheme will join others who have been given legal protection and access to housing, employment, education and, where they need it, expert medical care.The refugees who arrived in the UK as part of the vulnerable persons resettlement (VPR) scheme will join others who have been given legal protection and access to housing, employment, education and, where they need it, expert medical care.
The government has not disclosed where they will be resettled.The government has not disclosed where they will be resettled.
A Home Office spokeswoman said it was working closely with the UN refugee agency and local authorities to make sure the UK was "ready to welcome more Syrians who desperately need our assistance".A Home Office spokeswoman said it was working closely with the UN refugee agency and local authorities to make sure the UK was "ready to welcome more Syrians who desperately need our assistance".
BBC home affairs correspondent Daniel Sandford said the first arrivals amounted to "little more than a handful" of "very vulnerable" refugees.BBC home affairs correspondent Daniel Sandford said the first arrivals amounted to "little more than a handful" of "very vulnerable" refugees.
Eventually the UK will have to take about 400 refugees a month in order to meet its 20,000 target by 2020.Eventually the UK will have to take about 400 refugees a month in order to meet its 20,000 target by 2020.
The refugees will be brought to the UK from camps in countries neighbouring Syria, with those being resettled selected by the UN on the basis of need.The refugees will be brought to the UK from camps in countries neighbouring Syria, with those being resettled selected by the UN on the basis of need.
Under the VPR scheme, they will be granted five years' humanitarian protection, which includes access to public funds and the labour market, as well as the possibility of family reunion, if a person was split up from their partner or child when leaving their country.Under the VPR scheme, they will be granted five years' humanitarian protection, which includes access to public funds and the labour market, as well as the possibility of family reunion, if a person was split up from their partner or child when leaving their country.
After those five years they can apply to settle in the UK.After those five years they can apply to settle in the UK.
Mr Cameron said the scheme would be funded for the first 12 months by the government.Mr Cameron said the scheme would be funded for the first 12 months by the government.
Britain has been under pressure to take in more people as Europe struggles to deal with a huge influx of refugees - most fleeing conflict in Syria but large numbers also fleeing violence and poverty in Afghanistan, Eritrea and Kosovo.Britain has been under pressure to take in more people as Europe struggles to deal with a huge influx of refugees - most fleeing conflict in Syria but large numbers also fleeing violence and poverty in Afghanistan, Eritrea and Kosovo.
Between 2011 and last month, 4,980 Syrian asylum seekers were allowed to stay in the UK.
Are you a Syrian in the UK? Are you affected by issues raised in this story? Email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Are you a Syrian in the UK? Are you affected by issues raised in this story? Email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
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