On Wednesday 18 August, the Government announced its new resettlement scheme for Afghan refugees. Whilst the full details are yet to be confirmed, it is crystal clear that the Government needs local authorities everywhere to step up and support this national effort.
All councils in Suffolk are committed to this cause. We have already helped a small number of Afghan interpreters and their families to resettle in Suffolk, in addition to ongoing work to support unaccompanied asylum seeking children and other refugees entering the UK. In the coming days and weeks, the district, borough and county councils will continue working with the Government to do what we can to provide assistance to vulnerable refugees.
Times like this call for acts of humanity. Suffolk will play its part.
In East Suffolk, accommodation is already being offered under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP), supporting interpreters who have worked with the British Armed Forces and those who have worked in the British Embassy.
Under this scheme, three people moved into their accommodation earlier this week and are being supported by the Anglia Care Trust to help them integrate into the community and find employment. Further accommodation, both council and privately owned, is being sourced to help as many people as possible.