Lancashire County Council to step back from co-ordinating refugee resettlement schemes

Lancashire County Council will withdraw from its role as the coordinating authority for refugee resettlement schemes across the county.

The decision by the cabinet follows a review of the council's involvement in administering the schemes.

Under the agreed approach, the Reform UK-led county council will notify the Home Office of its intention to cease administration of the schemes, allowing time for alternative arrangements to be put in place.

Coordination responsibilities for both existing and new cases will transfer through a managed process, with administrative responsibilities ending no later than March 31 2027.

Options before the cabinet meeting on Thursday were stopping responsibility for all settled refugees; stopping responsibility for new arrivals through the schemes and continuation of support of existing families; or continuing the current arrangements.

"Cabinet has carefully considered the options available and agreed that the council should step back from its role as the coordinating authority for refugee resettlement schemes," said County Councillor Joshua Roberts, Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Environment and Communities.

"This decision relates to the administration and coordination of the schemes rather than the support available to refugees living in Lancashire.

"We will work closely with the Home Office and our partners to ensure a safe and managed transition that protects those currently receiving support and provides clarity for all organisations involved."

The report considered by cabinet noted that there is no statutory requirement for Lancashire County Council to act as the coordinating authority for the schemes.

The decision relates to the county council's role in coordinating refugee resettlement programmes and does not affect the Government's continuation of those schemes.

The council said this comes as "several national refugee resettlement programmes begin to wind down and as Lancashire prepares for wider changes associated with Local Government Reorganisation".

The cabinet has authorised officers to work with the Home Office and relevant partners to agree implementation arrangements and a transition timetable.

Lancashire County Council is currently the coordinating authority for the 15 Lancashire local authorities for a number of refugee resettlement schemes operated by the Home Office.

The schemes under consideration were Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP); Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS); Afghanistan Resettlement Route (ARR); UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS) and Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARP) excluding transitional accommodation.

The Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy and the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme were both closed to new applicants in March 2025 and replaced by the Afghan Resettlement Programme. Any responsibilities in Lancashire under the first two schemes will end on February 28 2028.

The ARR was discontinued on July 4 2025.

The Afghan Resettlement Programme is itself in the process of winding down, and all relocations under this scheme will end by December 2028.

UKRS, launched by the Conservative government in 2021, is the UK’s humanitarian response to global refugee crises, offering protection to vulnerable individuals and it replaced the Syrian Vulnerable Person Resettlement Scheme.

All individuals who relocate to the UK through the UKRS have arrived legally and have an immigration status of indefinite leave to remain (ILR).

Lancashire authorities have not committed to take any further UKRS families after December 2026.

County Hall, Preston

ARP offers relocation and resettlement to Afghan citizens, and their family members, who worked for or with the UK Government to support the UK mission in Afghanistan; assisted the UK’s efforts in Afghanistan and stood up for values such as democracy, women’s rights, freedom of speech, and rule of law; are considered vulnerable or in danger from the Taliban; or were assessed as being at the highest personal risk as a result of the February 2022 data incident, at the time the previous Government became aware it had occurred (NOTE - in February 2022 there was a data loss incident and some personal details of some applicants to the scheme may have been compromised).

All Afghans who relocate to the UK through the ARP have arrived legally and have an immigration status of indefinite leave to remain (ILR). They can freely live and work in the UK.

A council report ahead of the cabinet meeting said: "The Home Office provides funding to the county council and sets out the services and support that is to be provided in Lancashire for that funding within its annual funding instructions.

"The agreements do not require the county council itself to deliver these services; the county council is the coordinating authority, with services also delivered by other organisations in Lancashire, including district and unitary councils, and the funding passed to them accordingly.

"However, the county council is the accountable body for the schemes and therefore takes responsibility for the overall delivery."

The report also says: "If the county council were to withdraw from its role in coordinating these schemes, this would not automatically result in an end to refugees resettling in Lancashire.

"Under the Afghan Resettlement Programme, families could still be dispersed into Lancashire by other authorities or organisations delivering the scheme, and families can elect to move independently.

"Relocations under the UKRS could also continue subject to decision making in other local authorities.

"However, the county council may stop receiving financial reimbursement for providing resettlement and statutory services to these families and individuals.

"Such families and individuals would retain the access to support via any successor authority or organisation which takes over delivery of the schemes in agreement with the Home Office.

"The council will also retain its obligations to provide statutory services to any resident of Lancashire, which includes refugees."

County Councillor Roberts posted on Facebook in May, to announce the intention to withdraw from refugee resettlement schemes.

He said at the time: "This is about fairness.

"The people who work here, live here and contribute here, should come first in their own community."

A Reform UK spokesperson said: "The current resettlement scheme places significant pressure on housing, public services, and officer resources, creating a clear imbalance between support offered to new arrivals and that available to existing residents.

"As it stands, Lancashire County Council is expected to source housing in the private rented sector for refugees, as well as provide integration casework and interpretation for up to three years."

Lizzi Collinge, Labour MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, said at the time she was "appalled" by the plans.

Read more: Morecambe MP "appalled" as Lancashire set to quit refugee resettlement scheme - Beyond Radio