Title

WHITEHALL

Long-term success of refugee resettlement programme at risk

A lack of clarity on what local authorities should provide to Syrian refugees poses a threat to the long-term success of the Government’s resettlement programme, MPs have warned.

A lack of clarity on what local authorities should provide to Syrian refugees poses a threat to the long-term success of the Government's resettlement programme, MPs have warned.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) said it would be a ‘significant challenge' to resettle 20,000 Syrian refugees in the UK by 2020.

It found there was a lack of clarity around responsibilities and entitlements under the programme.

In particular, some councils were confused about what they were expected to provide to refugees and how this should be funded.

The committee called on the Home Office to ‘more clearly specify what local authorities are expected to provide to refugees to address any current disparities or confusion'.

It also said central government plans for evaluating the programme were ‘still too vague'.

PAC chair Meg Hillier said: ‘While the programme team was right to take a fresh look at the programme last year, more work is needed to make it sustainable in the longer term.'

David Simmonds, chairman of the Local Government Association's (LGA) asylum, migration and refugee task group, said: 'We are confident that there will be sufficient pledges to support the Government's aim to resettle 20,000 people by 2020, and the LGA, regional partnerships and authorities will continue to share learning on how best to settle families in their new communities.'

WHITEHALL

Why community empowerment needs an age-friendly approach more than ever

By Bianca Rossetti | 12 October 2026

Authorities need to be mindful of how they approach engagement to ensure that they don’t bypass members of their communities, writes Bianca Rossetti.

WHITEHALL

The devo difference

By Simon Kaye | 06 October 2026

Devolution should look different across England’s regions, writes Simon Kaye.

WHITEHALL

Election watchdog 'not consulted' before shadow poll cancellation

By Dan Peters | 30 September 2026

The Government failed to consult the Electoral Commission watchdog before it announced the cancellation of unitary council elections due to be held in May, i...

WHITEHALL

Strategic authorities: Staying off the ropes

By Dan Peters | 29 September 2026

Dan Peters assesses Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority’s progress under mayor Luke Campbell, and asks how new strategic authorities can get off to a ...

Popular articles by William Eichler

-->