Row breaks out over homes for refugees
Council leader angered by comments regarding houses but councillor insists he is only expressing views of locals
The leader of North Lanarkshire council has hit back over concerns that refugees are being given larger houses at the expense of those on the housing register.
Councillor Jim Logue branded the comments made by Wishaw councillor Sam Love as “totally outrageous”.
Last week, Councillor Love said he was delighted that the Syrian refugees would be coming to Wishaw, but believes handing them houses, rather than maisonettes or flats, could provoke anger among locals who are struggling to move into larger council homes.
In response, the North Lanarkshire Council supremo said: “The comments attributed to Councillor Love were totally outrageous and potentially could stoke up resentment in communities towards desperate people, some of whom have been treated terribly.
“Refugees have been welcomed across communities in North Lanarkshire. I know the vast majority of residents will treat these remarks with the contempt they deserve.” Councillor Logue added that the council’s award for their work with the Syrian Resettlement Project proved that the scheme was a huge success.
In response, Councillor Love said: “The bottom line is all the homes in North Lanarkshire meet the Scottish Housing Qualification Standard.
“I’m quite sure everyone in Wishaw will welcome the refugees and that’s the way it should be but that isn’t the issue, it’s the size of houses.
“I’m just the messenger expressing the views of constituents that have been coming to me.”
Preparations are under way to welcome up to 24 Syrian refugees, currently living in Beirut, to Wishaw after successful resettlements in Airdrie, Coatbridge, Bellshill and Motherwell.
The council will resettle 180 refugees as part of the UK Government ’ s Syr ian Resettlement Programme.
Councillor Love’s comments prompted a social media storm on our Facebook page, with residents split on whether they agreed with the council’s decision.
Summer Jamal posted: “The frustration is understandable for people who have had to wait so many years for these types of houses but we need to consider where these families are coming from.
“They haven’t been living in a two bedroom crowded house.
“They have came from a war where they’ve lost their loved ones and have been through things only we can imagine.
“The least we can do is help them have a peaceful life.”
However, San Whiteford said:“I agree with Mr Love that these refugees deserve to come here, after all we’re bombing their country.
“I also agree they should be housed the same way we all do - everyone has to do their time in flats and four-in-a-blocks before we’re entitled to back and front doors!
“This will cause trouble and it’s not even the fault of the refugees, it’s whoever is in charge of settling them.”