Reform-Led Lancashire Council to Quit Refugee Resettlement Scheme
The council says the move would free housing and public funds for vulnerable residents and veterans, while ending participation in two national schemes.
- Lancashire County Council's ruling Reform UK group announced plans on Tuesday to withdraw the local authority from two government-led refugee resettlement schemes, citing a need to redirect funds to vulnerable residents.
- Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Environment and Communities Joshua Roberts argued the programs place "significant pressure on the local housing market," asserting that "many Lancashire residents are struggling to access housing."
- Lancashire County Council currently manages the UK Resettlement Scheme and the Afghan Resettlement Programme , which has resettled almost 38,000 Afghans across the UK at a cost of £3 billion.
- Ahead of local elections this Thursday, opposition leaders including Progressive Lancashire head Azhar Ali condemned the announcement as a "stunt" and "dog whistle," warning the move could cut off funding for refugees already in the county.
- Though the council intends to withdraw, critics noted these are central government schemes; if LCC refuses to administer them, the government will likely find other authorities to do so, undermining the withdrawal's practical effect.
9 Articles
9 Articles
Political row as Reform UK plans to pull Lancs County Council out of refugee schemes
A political row has broken out after the Reform UK group that runs Lancashire County Council announced that it plans to “withdraw” the local authority from two government schemes that rehome refugees in the area.
Blackpool Gazette
Lancaster PostReform-led Lancashire County Council to withdraw from refugee resettlement scheme
LCC would no longer resettle refugees that have arrived in the UK
Reform council becomes first to quit refugee resettlement scheme as it vows to 'put British people first'
Lancashire County Council is poised to become the first local authority in Britain to quit the Government’s refugee resettlement programme.The Reform UK-run authority has pledged to withdraw from the scheme, vowing to put "British people first".Nigel Farage’s party secured a commanding majority on the council last May, securing 53 of 84 seats.Reform UK has argued that the Resettlement Scheme - introduced by the Conservatives in 2021 - has forced…
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