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Ministers meet first Syrian refugees to arrive in UK in time for Christmas (24 December 2015)

Date: 24/12/2015
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, Ministers meet first Syrian refugees to arrive in UK in time for Christmas

Government ministers have met with Syrian refugees in Kent who are spending their first Christmas holiday in the UK, after arriving here as part of the government’s resettlement programme for up to 20,000 refugees in camps along the Syrian border who are fleeing civil war and ISIL in Syria.

Communities Secretary Greg Clark met the families in Kent on Tuesday (22/12/15) – refugees have been arriving in the UK for the last three months as part of a co-ordinated approach to resettling the most vulnerable refugees currently in camps, with central government working with local authorities.

The government has appointed a Minister for Syrian Refugees – Richard Harrington – who spoke at an event for local authorities and their partner agencies in the southeast, on sharing experiences in helping refugees resettle into UK life. Mr Harrington said:

“Since the Prime Minister made the announcement to resettle 20,000 Syrian refugees, we have been working closely with local authorities and partners to ensure we prepared for their arrival to this country.

“I wish all Syrian refugees the warmest of welcomes and a Merry Christmas, as they spend their first Christmas here in the UK.

“We have met the Prime Minister’s target to resettle 1,000 Syrian refugees by Christmas – and we intend to resettle another 19,000 over the course of this Parliament.”

Communities Secretary Greg Clark added:

“The families I have met in Kent have said they feel welcomed and are getting settled into life ahead of the Christmas period.

“The government has provided funding so these vulnerable refugees can get the housing, healthcare, education and support they need.

“I would like to thank colleagues in local government and their partners who have helped resettle 1,000 Syrian refugees in the UK in time for Christmas.

“On behalf of British people, I wish all Syrian refugees a happy Christmas and a big welcome to the UK.”

Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Asylum, Migration and Refugee Task Group, David Simmonds, told the event:

“Councils have an excellent track record in supporting refugee children and their families over many years – and have worked hard to ensure 1,000 Syrian refugees are settled safely in the UK before Christmas.

“Councils are part of national arrangements for supporting refugees – and will continue to work with government on the future of the resettlement programme in 2016 and beyond.

More than 50 local authorities from across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales have welcomed vulnerable Syrian refugees. The government will resettle a further 19,000 Syrians across the UK before the end of this Parliament through the VPR scheme.

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