Council ‘should do its fair share’ by rehoming Afghan refugees
Labour councillors have called on Redcar and Cleveland Council to offer sanctuary to refugees fleeing Afghanistan.
Earlier this week the Government announced a resettlement scheme which will aim to rehome 20,000 Afghans eligible to come to the UK after the Taliban seized power in the central Asian country.
About 5,000 will be rehomed during the first year of the scheme and the Home Office has begun co-ordinating efforts to offer suitable sanctuary.
Many refugees worked with British forces during their previous occupation of Afghanistan, carrying out highly skilled roles such as interpreters, and fears have been expressed over their safety.
Councillor Carl Quartermain, leader of the Labour group on the council, said: “We must ensure Redcar and Cleveland is prepared and ready to do our fair share by welcoming in these refugees as they arrive.
“We must recognise the thousands of men, women and children who are fleeing for their lives from a repressive regime and offer our sympathy and willingness to provide support.”
Cllr Quartermain added that it was “absolutely vital” the Government provided adequate funding so local authorities were able to provide accommodation, backed up by the necessary support and healthcare.
Cllr Quartermain’s Labour colleague and former council leader Sue Jeffrey said: “All local authorities have been asked I think if they will take Afghan refugees.
“Redcar and Cleveland were previously welcoming of Syrian refugees, so I would hope the council would also be welcoming of those from Afghanistan as well.
“Some of our residents will probably have fought in Afghanistan at different times and surely we want to ensure that those who assisted British forces are found homes during what is a very difficult time.”
Last year there were 228 Syrian refugees being supported in Redcar and Cleveland, including 62 households, as a result of the Government’s Syrian resettlement programme which began in 2016.
Unlike asylum seekers, refugees have recourse to public funds and can also take legal employment.
Earlier this year council leader Mary Lanigan, who heads up an indepdendent/Liberal Democrat ruling coalition, said the authority was committed to doing all it could to support refugees and asylum seekers coming into the borough, although the numbers being dispersed into Redcar and Cleveland have been historically low compared to some other areas.
A spokesman for the council said: “We are closely watching events as they unfold and await any further guidance on the situation from the central Government.”