Since 2015, Scottish Borders Council has welcomed 10 Syrian families to the Borders who had fled the brutal Assad regime.
The UK Government committed to resettle 20,000 of the most vulnerable refugees who fled the conflict in Syria through the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS).
According to a recent council report, Scottish Borders Council agreed to take 10 families as part of the scheme, in line with population share. The report states that ‘all families have settled housing, children are enrolled in school/education, health, and benefit obligations have been met’.
Scottish Borders Council has received almost £700,000 to help welcome Syrian families. The UK Government’s Home Office paid the funds to the council over the last five years as part of the Syrian refugee resettlement programme.
The Home Office provides funding of £20,520 for each refugee over the 5 years they are registered on the scheme to support integration. This has funded English language training and a dedicated Arabic speaking Support Worker in the Borders, amongst other things.
The UK is a global leader in refugee resettlement. As a country, between 2016 and 2019, the UK resettled more refugees from outside Europe than any member state of the EU.
In August last year, Scottish Borders Council agreed to continue to engage with the resettlement scheme with a view to taking an additional 10 families in the future.
John Lamont MP said:
“I am proud that the UK Government is a global leader in refugee resettlement and that our country remains a place of sanctuary for people fleeing a brutal dictator who uses chemical weapons on his own people.
“This £700,000 funding from the Home Office plays a huge part in ensuring refugees can settle here in the Scottish Borders. I am grateful for the role the council plays in welcoming them to our community.
“Given that the resettlement has gone well, I welcome the fact that councillors are exploring the option of welcoming more families to the Borders in the future.
“In total, across all our resettlement schemes, the UK has now resettled more than 25,000 vulnerable refugees in need of protection over the past 6 years, with around half being children.”
Cllr Shona Haslam, Leader of Scottish Borders Council, said:
“It is an absolute privilege to welcome these families to the Scottish Borders. We have a duty as a society to protect those who are fleeing danger.
“Scottish Borders Council has been working hard to ensure they feel welcome and their integration into our communities has been excellent.
“Giving access to English language skills, funding a dedicated Arabic speaking Support Worker, and providing extra support in our classrooms is just some of the things we have done to help the transition.
“Their experiences in Syria during the conflict will have been terrifying. I hope the families feel happy and safe here in the Borders and continue to make their home here for years to come.”
