Fears over cash from EU for immigration
FEARS HAVE been raised that Brexit may cause Yorkshire to have less control over those who move into the country if lost EU funding of up to £4m used to soften the impact of migration is not guaranteed by the Government.
The Asylum, Migration, and Integration Fund (AMIF) was set up by the European Union in 2014 to be used by member states to support integration of non-EU nationals, including newly-recognised refugees.
But organisations which received funding via the UK Government were told this would not be replaced after Brexit if the UK leaves without a deal, while the Government had guaranteed funding for those who bid directly to the European Commission.
A letter last month told organisations: “In the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal, the UK will leave the EU budget on the day of exit meaning UK organisations, like yours, would no longer receive future funding for projects under EU programmes.”
Barnsley Council leader Sir Stephen Houghton, who chairs Migration Yorkshire, said this technicality had caused confusion in groups who provided vital services.
The letter said: “This funding delivers government priorities on integration and cohesion, and its removal would have deep consequences.
“The projects in our region improve refugee employment, reduce homelessness, brings communities together and enables us to mitigate the impact of migration on our host communities.”
It said: “It is clear that in areas such as Barnsley, immigration played a significant part in the vote for leaving the EU. Specifically this included the promise during the campaign, and since by your Government, that Brexit will enable us to better manage migration. This new message is an extremely difficult one to give to our local residents, that Brexit means less local control over migration and less integration.”
The Home Office yesterday issued a statement saying: “All projects under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund will continue to receive funding for the lifetime of their projects, even if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.”
One organisation, Voluntary Action Sheffield, would have lost £441,000 of funding over two years if the money was withheld. The Home Office said it had received Sir Stephen’s letter and would reply in due course.