The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Scotland meets refugee target ahead of schedule
Country has accepted one in five of Syrians brought to the UK through resettlement scheme
The First Minister has given a fresh commitment to welcome Syrian refugees into her own home as she welcomed Scotland meeting a landmark target.
Scots councils met their target to find homes for 2,000 Syrian refugees three years ahead of schedule.
The UK Government has committed to resettling 20,000 people fleeing the war-torn country through the Syrian Vulnerable Person Resettlement Programme. Councils north of the border were to take in 10% of that number, but have reached that goal just two years into the five-year scheme.
Nicola Sturgeon said: “I am proud Scotland has welcomed so many refugees fleeing persecution and war into our communities so they can rebuild their lives here.”
Asked whether the FM had personally taken in any refugees as she said in 2015 she would be happy to do, a spokesman said: “The First Minister made clear that she would be willing to accommodate refugees if that was necessary. However, it has so far been possible to house refugees without asking individuals or families to provide shelter.”
Statistics released earlier this month show Scotland has accepted one in five of Syrians brought to the UK through the resettlement scheme.
A further commitment to provide refuge to 3,000 youngsters from the Middle East North Africa region has been made by the UK Government, through the associated Vulnerable Children Relocation Scheme.
Those arriving through both programmes are granted refugee status and given leave to remain in the UK for five years in the first instance.
At the end of that period, they are entitled to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK.
Local authorities can choose whether or not to participate in the programmes, dependent on local circumstances, but receive a five-year funding package to enable them to participate.
All 32 Scottish councils have committed to supporting resettlement efforts, helped by Cosla, in whatever way they can.
The UK immigration minister will join the First Minister and UK Representative to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Cosla HQ today to celebrate the milestone and discuss the future of the programme.
Cosla president Alison Evison said: “Scottish local government has responded to its moral duty to help and protect those whose lives have been torn apart by war.”