Telford & Wrekin Council to offer help for refugee crisis

The Council’s leader Kuldip Sahota said there was a moral duty for the borough to stand side by side with other parts of the UK and help in the major humanitarian crisis now unfolding on Europe’s eastern borders as many refugees risking theirs and their family’s lives to escape.

Councillor Sahota said: “Many people in the borough have approached me over the last few days saying how moved they are by the shocking images and stories that have been played out on our TV screens.

“I have also been extremely moved by the horrendous plight of the poor people who have been fleeing for their lives and it is therefore only right that our borough, along with many others in the UK, plays its part and we do what we can to help.

“We cannot yet say how many families we can support. Social housing in the borough is already very stretched with long waiting lists for homes. As the Council no longer has housing stock, we will be talking urgently with social housing providers and the voluntary sector in the borough to co-ordinate action.

“The Council must also get funding from Government if we are to provide meaningful help. Our budgets have already been cut by £79 million in the last five years and we face at least another £33 million cut in grant in the next three years. Government cannot simply expect councils to help tackle this situation without financial support.

“Only when details of any Government support scheme are known can we begin to be clear on how many people we can help. While I expect this to be small, it really is a case of every little helps.

“As with people fleeing Eastern Europe after World War II, Ugandan Asians fleeing Idi Amin in the 1970s and Kosovars fleeing ethnic conflict in the 1990s, Telford and Wrekin has a history of welcoming new residents and refugees alike and I am sure that this will continue.”

Shropshire Council has yet to formally make decisions concerning refugees, earlier today the council issued the following statement.

Keith Barrow, Leader, Shropshire Council said: “Shropshire Council has yet to formally make decisions concerning refugees, yet the overwhelming response is that we should play our part to help whoever we can. Our hearts reach out to those affected by war and other atrocities. Shropshire communities are already looking to help, generously offering temporary accommodation and other support, including within their own homes.

“We will continue to work and collaborate with our communities and other local authorities in order to secure the best solutions and outcomes for refugees. David Simmonds has already spoken on behalf of the Local Government Association to say that Government should assist and fund refugees and we support this position.

“The Cabinet of Shropshire Council will discuss this important issue when they meet informally on Wednesday this week. We will also discuss at our next full Council Meeting held on 24 September. In the meantime we will put plans in place to take and support refugees in readiness for our Government to appropriately respond, fund and co-ordinate on behalf of the United Kingdom.”