Stafford Councillor calls for local authorities to help Ukrainian refugees

30 July 2022

The response of the British people and the residents of Stafford to the war in Ukraine has been overwhelming. The response of the Government has been appalling.

Locally, we have seen residents donate food and clothing, money and, most importantly, open their homes to Ukrainian refugees.

The Government, despite its warm words, has failed refugees and their hosts on almost every count.

Firstly there is the delay, and, in many cases,  failure to issue visas to thousands of refugees wanting to come here. After months of seeing harrowing pictures of desperate refugees waiting and waiting for visas to be issued, the Home Office finally speeded up the process but there are still many thousands waiting for their visas to be processed. As of 12 July, over 20,000 of them. Other European countries have waived visas for Ukranian refugees.

Then there is the process of allocation and associated vetting and safeguarding. At first, the Government seemed to have forgotten all about the need to ensure that those offering accommodation were checked both in terms of the accommodation being offered and also that they would be suitable hosts. After a while, and, after many had already arrived, they decided that local authorities should do this, but without providing adequate additional finance.

Finally, there is the absence of proper financial support for those families hosting refugees. For those having Ukrainian relatives living with them, there is no financial support at all. For others offering to host there is some financial support but many consider this to be inadequate.

By contrast, the Syrian Vulnerable persons scheme provided proper funding for local authorities to enable them to oversee the whole process, which some have done on an in-house basis where others, such as Staffordshire contracted with Refugee Action who have a track record of dealing with refugees. This should be the basis of the scheme for Ukrainians also.

Perhaps I am being cynical but I believe the Government’s shortcomings in relation to Ukrainian refugees are linked to their obsession with creating a ‘hostile environment’ for those fleeing war and persecution. Something that has resulted in the current plans to send asylum seekers to Rwanda. A truly appalling proposal. The people of Stafford have shown that they want to treat such people with compassion, dignity and fairness. It is time for the Government to do so too.

 

Based on this a Notice of Motion pursuant to Paragraph 13.1 of the Council Procedure Rules had been submitted proposed by Councillor A N Pearce and seconded by Councillor A M Loughran as follows:-

 

“Stafford Borough Council congratulates the many residents who have shown their support for the people of Ukraine and places on record the Council's support for Ukraine and its people. In particular, we thank those who have organised collections of food, clothing and money to help those fleeing the war.

 

It is encouraging that so many people and families have offered to host Ukrainian refugees. This Council will do all it can to support them and the families they host.

 

The Government response to the situation has left much to be desired. Problems have included difficulty with obtaining visas, lack of financial support for local authorities and confusion over safeguarding arrangements for host families.

 

The Council calls on the Government to give greater financial support to local authorities and to use the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Programme as the model for helping Ukrainian families.

 

Further it urges the Government to treat all those fleeing war and persecution who wish to make their homes here with dignity and fairness.”

 

Members discussed the Motion as provided by paragraph 15 of the Council Procedure Rules.

 

 

During the discussion, the following amendment to the Motion was proposed by Councillor J M Pert, seconded by Councillor P M M Farrington:-

 

“Stafford Borough Council congratulates the many residents who have shown their support for the people of Ukraine and places on record the Council's support for Ukraine and its people. In particular, we thank those who have organised collections of food, clothing and money to help those fleeing the war.

 

It is encouraging that so many people and families have offered to host Ukrainian refugees. This Council will do all it can to support them and the families they host.

 

The Government response to the situation has left much to be desired. Problems have included difficulty with obtaining visas, lack of financial support for local authorities and confusion over safeguarding arrangements for host families.

 

The Council calls on the Government to give greater financial support to local authorities and to use the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Programme as the model for helping Ukrainian families.

 

Further it urges the Government to treat all those fleeing war and persecution who wish to make their homes here with dignity and fairness.

 

The Council will continue to encourage everyone from central and local Government, communities where Ukrainian families are settling through to those individual hosts to continue in their efforts to support everyone looking for help and relief from war-torn Ukraine, especially as the fighting continues over the longer term and more and more people are affected.”

 

Members discussed the amendment as provided by paragraph 15 of the Council Procedure Rules and at the conclusion of the debate voted on said amendment which, was declared to be carried and adopted as the new substantive motion.

 

Members then voted on the new substantive motion as set out above which was duly declared to be carried.

 






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