By Martin Giles
Guildford Council is stood by to play its part in housing a share of Afghan refugees. The UK has said it will take 20,000 refugees who are escaping their home country following the sudden capitulation by the Afghan government following America’s withdrawal of military forces.
Cllr Julia McShane
Julia McShane the lead councillor for Community said she was “heartbroken” by the events in Afghanistan and from “hearing the stories of people, and especially many women, who have already felt that they have needed to take radical action to protect themselves and loved ones. We are committed to do the best we can to help these communities and families in need.”
Earlier, before the GBC statement emerged, the leader of Millmead’s Conservative group Paul Spooner broke his own declared ex-communication with The Dragon to criticise GBC, saying in a reader’s comment: “Guildford’s steady slide from leading in Surrey continues. Where is the forward planning?”
Cllr Paul Spooner
But describing the council’s preparedness Cllr McShane (Lib Dem, Westborough) said: “We are already working with the Ministry of Defence to house refugees, separately with local community groups, and finally we are waiting to be allocated a number from the government of how many refugee families we will be asked to house. Whatever happens, we will be creating safe spaces for refugees in Guildford.
“In July 2021 we agreed an approved delegation scheme to find safe homes for any refugees fleeing violence in their homeland. Most recently we supported a family from Syria as part of the Resettle@Guildford scheme. The initiative, although facilitated by us together with Surrey County Council, is part of the government’s Community Sponsorship programme.
“We support local community groups to take responsibility to welcome, house and support refugee families directly into their local community. We believe that the programme provides the best way to welcome refugees into Guildford, give them a safe, welcoming space to build their lives and contribute, and enhance our thriving and vibrant local community.
“Before the Taliban takeover, we had already begun working with the Home Office under the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS) as part of our ongoing local authority resettlement work. This initiative was designed to support refugee families to settle in the UK with support being offered for five years. We have since begun working with the Ministry Of Defence and the Home Office to relocate Afghan families into our borough and we hope to welcome them into our communities by the autumn.”
Angela Richardson speaking in the House of Commons in November.
Guildford’s MP Angela Richardson said she was pleased that Guildford had now “clarified its position”. She said she had written on Tuesday (17 August) to leaders of both Guildford and Waverley councils about their involvement in the Afghan Resettlement Scheme following the events in Afghanistan.
“The government takes the scheme seriously and advanced new and improved support measures last month amounting to support for councils of more than £40,000 for a four-person family in the first year. Several nearby councils, including Woking, Surrey Heath and Elmbridge had found the scheme acceptable to work with.
“I am glad that Guildford has now clarified its involvement and is working with the government to re-house Afghan families during the autumn. I reiterate my request to Waverley to clarify its position too.”
The chair of the Guildford Conservatives echoed Ms Richardson’s welcome to the GBC statement. Sallie Barker said: “We are glad GBC has agreed to work with the Government to rehouse and support the Afghan refugees at this dreadful time.
Mark Bray-Parry of the Green Party
Mark Bray-Parry of The Green Party was also pleased to hear of the GBC statement but widened his response to other aspects of the UK’s immigration policy. He said: “I am pleased to read Cllr McShane’s statement and the work Guildford Borough Council are doing towards housing refugees.
After 20 years of fighting, I am shocked at the callousness of the western withdrawal of troops in Afghanistan but pleased that the UK Government has recognised its obligations towards those Afghanistan citizens that have worked with the UK in both a civil and military capacity.
“It is essential that the government supports local authorities in order to house refugees, not just from Afghanistan but all who seek protection from violence in their homeland. I hope this surprise show of compassion from the government after a decade of increasingly hostile refugee and immigration policies will mark a moment of reflection, and that Angela Richardson works with Guildford and Waverley Borough Councils to secure Government support for a more ambitious refugee housing scheme.”
Cllr McShane also reminded community groups how they could contribute: “Local community groups can still apply to also be part of the Community Sponsorship programme and we will work with all to offer help to refugees.
“As part of being a ‘community sponsor’, local groups will find a property available for families for two years, provide settlement support for one year, welcome the household at the airport and provide cultural support and access to medical, social, welfare and education services and English tuition and offer support towards volunteering, employment, self-sufficiency, independence and safeguarding support.
“If you’d like to find out more please contact the resettlement scheme for the South East via sespm@secouncils.gov.uk.
“They have also published the following guidance here: https://assets.publishing.
Credit: Source link
