This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/oct/12/theresa-may-defends-government-response-to-syrian-refugee-crisis

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Theresa May defends government response to Syrian refugee crisis Theresa May defends government response to Syrian refugee crisis
(about 1 hour later)
The home secretary, Theresa May, has dismissed criticism from more than 300 senior legal figures, including two former lord chief justices, that the British government’s response to the Syrian refugee crisis is “deeply inadequate”.The home secretary, Theresa May, has dismissed criticism from more than 300 senior legal figures, including two former lord chief justices, that the British government’s response to the Syrian refugee crisis is “deeply inadequate”.
She insisted that the programme to bring 20,000 Syrian refugees direct to Britain over the next five years and the fact the country is the second largest aid donor to refugee camps in countries neighbouring Syria was a record to be proud of.She insisted that the programme to bring 20,000 Syrian refugees direct to Britain over the next five years and the fact the country is the second largest aid donor to refugee camps in countries neighbouring Syria was a record to be proud of.
Related: Conservative asylum policy on Syria 'too low, too slow, too narrow'Related: Conservative asylum policy on Syria 'too low, too slow, too narrow'
The senior lawyers denounced the offer of 20,000 places in the face of the largest refugee crisis since the second world war as “too low, too slow and too narrow”, adding that Britain has lost its way as a nation that once had a reputation as a safe haven for refugees. The senior lawyers denounced the offer of 20,000 places in the face of the largest refugee crisis since the second world war as “too low, too slow and too narrow”, adding that Britain had lost its way as a nation that once had a reputation as a haven for refugees.
The home secretary made clear that she rejected the lawyers’ demand that Britain takes its fair share of those refugees who have reached Europe. She even appealed to opposition MPs to join her in “sending a clear message” to the refugees not to attempt the journey across the Mediterranean to Europe “because people are dying making that journey”. The home secretary made clear that she rejected the lawyers’ demand that Britain takes its fair share of those refugees who have reached Europe. She even appealed to opposition MPs to join her in “sending a clear message” to the refugees not to try to travel across the Mediterranean to Europe “because people are dying making that journey”.
May angered opposition MPs during Home Office questions at the Commons on Monday as it quickly became clear she intended to leave detailed questions about the crisis to her newly appointed minister for refugees, Richard Harrington.May angered opposition MPs during Home Office questions at the Commons on Monday as it quickly became clear she intended to leave detailed questions about the crisis to her newly appointed minister for refugees, Richard Harrington.
It was left to him to explain that the Home Office has given way to guarantee longer-term funding for refugees who come to Britain after strong pressure from local government during several weeks of talks. It was left to him to explain that the Home Office had given way to guarantee longer-term funding for refugees who come to Britain, after strong pressure from local government during several weeks of talks.
The government had said it would use overseas aid funding to meet the extra costs of the 20,000 Syrian refugees to be brought under a special vulnerable persons resettlement scheme. But it quickly became clear that while the refugees are to come for a minimum of five years, the extra money would only be available for the first 12 months, leaving many local authorities reluctant to take part.The government had said it would use overseas aid funding to meet the extra costs of the 20,000 Syrian refugees to be brought under a special vulnerable persons resettlement scheme. But it quickly became clear that while the refugees are to come for a minimum of five years, the extra money would only be available for the first 12 months, leaving many local authorities reluctant to take part.
Harrington confirmed to MPs that it has now been agreed that central government funding will also cover the extra costs involved in resettling the Syrians selected under the scheme for the period from the second to the fifth year as well. Harrington confirmed to MPs that it had now been agreed that central government funding would also cover the extra costs involved in resettling the Syrians selected under the scheme all the way into the fifth year.
The shadow home secretary, Andy Burnham, and the Scottish nationalists both raised the criticism by senior legal figures made clear in full-page adverts in the Guardian and the Times on Monday with Home Office ministers. The shadow home secretary, Andy Burnham, and the Scottish nationalists both spoke to Home Office ministers about the criticisms in the statement by senior legal figures, printed in full-page adverts in the Guardian and the Times.
Related: Theresa May speech marks new low in politics of migrationRelated: Theresa May speech marks new low in politics of migration
Burnham added his own criticism of May’s conference speech attack that labelled those refugees and migrants who made it to Europe as the “fittest and wealthiest”, telling her it was desperation rather than fitness or wealth that was driving them to make the hazardous journey across the Mediterranean. Burnham added his own criticism of May’s conference speech attack, which labelled those refugees and migrants who made it to Europe as the “fittest and wealthiest”, telling her it was desperation rather than fitness or wealth that was driving them to make the hazardous journey across the Mediterranean.
The clash came after the UN security council endorsed a British resolution last Friday authorising the use of naval force to intercept and seize the migrant boats located in the seas off Libya. A Royal Naval frigate, HMS Richmond, is part of the European naval force called Operation Sophia which will begin blockading the north African coast to prevent the flow of refugees and migrants to Europe.The clash came after the UN security council endorsed a British resolution last Friday authorising the use of naval force to intercept and seize the migrant boats located in the seas off Libya. A Royal Naval frigate, HMS Richmond, is part of the European naval force called Operation Sophia which will begin blockading the north African coast to prevent the flow of refugees and migrants to Europe.