Later this week, Bridgend Council’s Cabinet will be updated on the council’s participation in refugee programmes (pdf).
Two separate programmes were set up by the UK Government to resettle families fleeing Afghanistan and Syria.
As of now, eleven Syrian families (54 people in total) and three Afghan families (11 people) have been resettled in Bridgend.
The Afghan scheme involves refugees who were interpreters as well as other personnel (and their families) who assisted the UK military during the Afghanistan War and were at particular risk of facing persecution since the Taliban regained control.
The council are seeking to resettle a further three families – whether from Syria or Afghanistan.
A £20,520 grant is awarded for each resettled refugee and grants are also available to cover the first year of education for refugee children.
I’m assuming this money comes from the UK Government as immigration and asylum are non-devolved, despite the Welsh Government’s desire for Wales to become a Nation of Sanctuary.
Attention now turns to refugees fleeing Ukraine as well. That’s not in the report – which would’ve been prepared before Russia invaded – but it’s too early for the council to say or do anything as it’ll likely require clear guidance from the Welsh and UK governments which hasn’t yet been forthcoming.
