Council commits to support for refugees
South Lanarkshire Council have committed to support up to 30 refugee households each year for the next two years.
Councillors on the Housing and Technical Resources Committee heard last week of the support and help the local authority offers to refugees.
A programme dedicated to helping refugees was established in 2015. The Refugee Resettlement Programme was set up within Housing and Technical Resources and the service is responsible for leading on resettlement across the area.
The council has since supported a range of refugees from a number of countries and committed to continue support by providing help for up to 30 refugee households each year over the next two years.
The team supported around 210 individuals over the first five years of the Syrian Resettlement Programme (which is now known as UKRS).
Families who arrived from Afghanistan have also been provided with support to integrate into South Lanarkshire, and around 12 individuals received help.
South Lanarkshire Council also supported around 1000 individuals from Ukraine through wider accommodations and in the wider local authority area.
And the Refugee Resettlement Team provided support to residents across four Scottish Governmentprocured hotels in the area as well as helping 250 guests in 150 hosting arrangements. Around 100 households have been accommodated and over 170 individuals have been supported to secure longer-term accommodation options.
The council is continuing its support and will accommodate Afghan arrivals to the UK over the coming months. The council will enter a formal partnership between the Ministry of Defence and Mears. This scheme is fully funded by the UK Government with accommodation being obtained from the private sector and support being provided by the council’s Refugee Resettlement Team.
Councillor Janine Calikes (Rutherglen Central and North), asked about the support offered to refugees. She said: “When people have gone through the refugee resettlement programme, is there ongoing support for them, once they’re here and settled?”
Council officers confirmed that the Refugee Resettlement Team continue to offer support and help those to integrate into the community.