Tees-valley.cityofsanctuary.org
10 September 2015News ReleaseTees Valley can lead the UK in tackling Syrian refugee crisisLeading local politicians have called for the Tees Valley to show the way to the rest of the UK in helping refugees fleeing from the war in Syria.MPs and senior councillors are demanding the government finally takes action and have backed the area to take in Syrian refugee families, with additional funding - building on our long-standing experience and culture, as a dispersal area and now City of Sanctuary.Anna Turley, MP for Redcar, said: "We can and must do more to help people who are fleeing for their lives in their millions; and taking incredible risks and hardships to do so. "Housing more Syrian refugees will equate to less than one per cent extra population across Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, and Stockton boroughs. With one-off government grants to support their resettlement, plus ongoing housing funding as refugees are entitled to, this is a deliverable and humanitarian response to one of the biggest human tragedies seen in a generation."Anna is writing to the Home Secretary urging the UK to take many more Syrian refugees as long as the Syrian war and ISIL actions across the region continue. Tees Valley City of Sanctuary co-ordinator Pete Widlinski said: "We have a proud and long reputation for welcoming refugees who have escaped persecution, torture and likely death into our community. Now that welcome and expertise is needed more than ever.MPs and senior councillors have added their voice for the Tees Valley to show the way. MPs Andy McDonald (Middlesbrough), Alex Cunningham (Stockton North), Tom Blenkinsop (Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland) and Iain Wright (Hartlepool) are all supporting this initiative as are Middlesbrough Mayor Dave Budd, Stockton Council leader Bob Cook and Redcar and Cleveland Council leader Sue Jeffrey, and the Tees Valley of Sanctuary faith group.Stockton councillor and cabinet member David Rose who is helping lead the cross-authority initiative said: "It's about time the government's actions reflected the compassion and concern shown by residents. With relatively small levels of additional grant funding we can offer a safe haven to people who have risked their lives in fleeing for their lives. "We're prepared to step up and help save many hundreds of lives by taking in families escaping from a desperate war-torn country - now we need other councils around the country and the Tory government to do so as well."Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton have a combined existing Home Office-set 'cluster limit' of 2786 asylum seekers, yet June 2015 figures show there are fewer than 2,000 currently living here and awaiting a decision on their status.However, Middlesbrough and Stockton are already two of the top three largest host local authorities for asylum seekers per head of population in the UK. Even distribution of refugees and funding 'per head', including housing and resettlement support grants, directly to the local authorities from the Home Office, are two key components of the initiative.Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald said: "We have a proud history of welcoming those seeking sanctuary and a well established network of voluntary support, including many churches and charities - but sadly a distinct absence of meaningful Government support. In fact this Government goes out of its way to make supporting refugees as difficult as possible."If other towns and cities did a fraction of what Teesside already does, then we as a country could better discharge our moral obligations to our fellow human beings. The system urgently needs reform with local authorities put at the heart of our response to these humanitarian crises in terms of managing increased refugee numbers. There needs to be fair and even distribution of refugees across the UK and we hope other areas will follow our lead as a compassionate and progressive community."EndsMedia contactsDavid Rose, Labour councillor and cabinet member, Stockton Council: 07557 540160 or david.rose@.ukJordan Hall, office of Anna Turley, Labour MP for Redcar: Jordan.hall@parliament.ukNote to editors:Darlington Council has already publicly stated its pledge to house Syrian refugee families within the borough. ................
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