NEW REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT SCHEME ANNOUNCED

18 June 2019
The UK will continue to resettle thousands of vulnerable refugees under a new scheme announced by the government on Monday.
The scheme will replace the existing Vulnerable Person Resettlement Scheme which is due to end in 2020 and has so far seen almost 16,000 refugees resettled from camps in the Middle East.
 
Home Secretary Sajid Javid said that the UK would aim to resettle a further 5,000 under the new scheme:

“I’m proud of the world-leading work we have done in the Middle East and Africa so far, but there is so much more to do.”
 
Citizens UK launched a national campaign last year calling on the Government to extend the scheme beyond 2020. In response to the announcement Citizens UK member, Reverend Cathy Wiles, from All Saints West Dulwich said:
 
“Today’s announcement is welcome news and means thousands of families who desperately need this lifeline, can arrive in the UK via safe and legal routes. However, this should be the first step in a longer commitment if refugee resettlement… is to flourish.”
 
In its statement the government also noted that "the success of resettlement in the UK [to date] has been achieved working in partnership with over 300 local authorities who are participating in delivering the current schemes."
 
Elmbridge CAN has been working with the local Council to resettle and support families under this scheme. Elmbridge CAN Chair, Steve Wells, said:
 
“We’ve helped Elmbridge Borough Council to resettle 5 families under the Vulnerable Person Resettlement Scheme so far. We’re delighted that the scheme is set to continue. We’ve learned a lot in the last 3 years and we’re looking forward to building on this success and making sure our expertise and the passion and support from the local community does not go to waste.”
 
If you’d like to help us resettle more refugees in Elmbridge, please check out our property appeal, or get in touch to find out how you can help.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
  • The new resettlement scheme will consolidate the Vulnerable Persons’ Resettlement Scheme, the Vulnerable Children’s Resettlement Scheme and the gateway protection programme into one global scheme.
  • The government states that “new programme will be simpler to operate and provide greater consistency in the way that [we] resettle refugees.”
  • It will broaden the geographical focus beyond the Middle East and North Africa.
  • There will also be a new process for emergency resettlement, allowing the UK to respond quickly to instances when there is a heightened need for protection, providing a faster route to resettlement where lives are at risk.
  • The community sponsorship scheme, which enables community groups to directly welcome and support refugees in the UK, will continue and refugees resettled under this new community-led scheme will be in addition to the Government commitment.
  • Elmbridge Borough Council committed to resettling between 5 and 15 families under the current Vulnerable Person Resettlement Scheme and has currently taken 5. 
 
Read the full announcement.
Image: Freddie Finn / Elmbridge CAN
Read the Government's full announcement