Thousands of Syrians displaced from their homes and sent to refugee camps across Iraq are being flown to the UK under the government’s pledge to house at least 20,000 of them.
According to the Home Office, Coventry City Council took in 105 refugees between October to March.
The government has pledged to resettle 20,000 Syrian refugees by 2020 under the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme. The scheme is estimated to cost a minimum of £500 million.
71 local authorities are accepting refugees. So far, the West Midlands has settled over 150, Birmingham settling over 44.
Abdul Khan, Coventry City Council deputy leader said “Coventry cases have included refugees with significant medical needs and a number of families affected by the violence of the conflict in Syria. We have accepted them because it is the right thing to do.”
Sandwell Council has stated it will not be receiving refugees, prioritising local residents instead. According to Darren Cooper, Sandwell Council leader, there was already a housing crisis in Sandwell with 6000 people needing homes. “It isn’t based on any kind of bigoted ideology, it’s about practicality and capacity.”
Coventry city leaders have claimed providing sanctuary has actually benefitted Coventry in return as many of the refugees are highly educated, some being doctors and dentists.
