West Sussex Reform councillors call for end to refugee schemes

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 15:02 · Archive

Reform councillors in West Sussex are calling for the county council to withdraw from all voluntary refugee resettlement schemes. A motion is due to be tabled by group leader Tim Charters during a meeting on 16 October. The motion also asks council leader Jay Mercer to encourage district and borough councils to do the same and to write to the Home Office stating that the county cannot accommodate any further asylum seekers or refugees.

The motion states the council recognises 'severe and escalating pressures on public services across West Sussex, including acute shortages in housing, school places, GP appointments, SEND provision, and adult social care capacity'. It attributes these partly to 'the increasing number of individuals arriving in West Sussex through voluntary refugee resettlement schemes and Home Office-directed asylum accommodation'.

West Sussex currently participates in four voluntary schemes: the United Kingdom Resettlement Scheme, the Afghan Resettlement Programme, the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, and the Hong Kong British National (Overseas) Visa Scheme. The Home Office fully funds these four schemes, and district and borough councils receive funding from the Local Authority Housing Fund. However, resulting social care and service costs are borne by the various councils. At county level, the cost of caring for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children has been identified as 'an area of financial risk'.

West Sussex Reform councillors call for end to refugee schemes — Image: The Argus

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How it is being reported

Reform table motion to withdraw refugee scheme supportReform councillors in West Sussex are to call for the county council to withdraw from all voluntary refugee resettlement schemes.The Argus · 13 Oct, 14:35
West Sussex Reform councillors call for end to refugee resettlement schemesReform councillors in West Sussex are to call for the county council to withdraw from all voluntary refugee resettlement schemes.Chichester Observer · 12 Oct, 11:57

In this story: West Sussex · Reform · Tim Charters · Jay Mercer · Home Office

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