The need to address ongoing pressures, sustainable funding and the need for effective engagement with local government has been consistently raised by the member-led LGA Asylum, Refugee and Migration Task Group. The member led LGA Asylum, Refugee and Migration Task Group is made up of LGA lead members from across the LGA political groups and regional member representation covering all of the English regions and Devolved Administrations. It focuses upon the issues around the asylum, refugee and migration agenda at a national and strategic level from a local government political leadership perspective.
An Asylum and Resettlement Council Senior Engagement Group (ARCSEG) reporting to the Task Group aims to achieve better engagement and oversight; access to funding and data; and a place based and more equitable approach to dispersal. Meeting quarterly since 2019, the group is co-chaired by the LGA with representation from each region and devolved administration.
The LGA has been involved in discussions with Government and with regions for a long period of time on how to work together to find sustainable solutions that minimise the pressures on local authorities, local communities and vulnerable individuals. The LGA view is that aligned regionally coordinated programmes can meet the needs of vulnerable children and families, more quickly whilst minimising the impact on local communities; and utilising and funding central, regional and local governments' strategic and operational expertise and innovative practice.
The Home Office has further engagement with local government and providers at a devolved administration and regional level. Views and queries on this and other programmes can be directed to Strategic Migration Partnerships (see folder 6.
We and national partners are stressing the need for urgent and sustainable solutions to current and ongoing challenges around support for for lone asylum seeking children. The government announced in November 2021 that it will temporarily mandate the National Transfer Scheme The Government issued a consultation to councils which considers options for changes and in our joint response to the consultation with ADCS, we continue to highlight that, despite welcome recent uplifts, funding for care-leavers, placement capacity and issues with age assessment may continue to be a barrier to participation. We are also making the case to central government on the need to continue to work with councils on issues in the system for adults and families, particularly around the need to widen dispersal to reduce hotel use, with more information under folder 1.
Councils play a key role in working with partners and communities in providing resettled refugees with the help and support they need to successfully integrate in their new communities. Things to consider when setting up or reviewing your resettlement programme are included in our publications Syrian refugee resettlement - a guide for local authorities and Resettling refugees: support after the first year - a guide for local authorities. More information including good practice examples are included in the Refugee Resettlement Programme Knowledge Hub group.
The Home Secretary reaffirmed in June 2019 governments’ ongoing commitment to the resettlement of refugees under a new combined programme. The priority will remain to the most vulnerable refugees, identified and referred by UNHCR. The scheme will have a broader geographical focus beyond the current Middle East and North Africa region, although the cohort arriving in the UK is unlikely to significantly change. The Community Sponsorship scheme will continue and a new process for emergency resettlement will provide a faster route to the UK when necessary.
Local authorities should contact their Regional Strategic Migration Partnership (RSMP) for more advice or if they are interested in participating in any of the programmes detailed on this page.