Listen Live
Listen Again

Morecambe MP "appalled" as Lancashire set to quit refugee resettlement scheme

Tuesday, 5 May 2026 16:17

Lizzi Collinge, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale

The Morecambe MP said she is appalled at Lancashire County Council's plans to withdraw from a refugee resettlement scheme.

Lizzi Collinge spoke out after the Reform-led county council announced their intention to no longer settle refugees who have arrived in the UK under the UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS) and the Afghan Resettlement Programme.

This would make Lancashire the first county council to quit the government UKRS scheme, which was initially launched by the Conservatives.

County Councillor Joshua Roberts, cabinet member for Rural Affairs, Environment and Communities, said in a post on his Facebook page: "I'm announcing my intention to withdraw Lancashire from the government's refugee resettlement scheme.

"£7 million a year of your money. Cash on arrival. Welcome packs. Utility bills paid. GP registration sorted. Benefits set up for them.

"Yet our veterans are sleeping on the streets. Local families can't get a home. And our residents are left to figure it all out on their own."

In a video explaining the decision, also posted on his page, he said: "This is about fairness.

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

County Councillor Joshua Roberts

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."

Ms Collinge, Labour MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, said on Tuesday: "I am appalled by the decision of Reform-led Lancashire County Council to withdraw from the UK Resettlement Scheme and the Afghan Resettlement Programme.

"This decision means families fleeing war in Ukraine and Afghans who stood shoulder to shoulder with British armed forces will not be able to seek safety in Lancashire.

"These are people who have endured immense hardship and, in many cases, risked their lives in support of our country. Turning away from them now is indefensible.

"The UK Resettlement Scheme provides funded, controlled routes for refugees to rebuild their lives.

"It is important to be clear that these schemes do not support those who arrive on small boats, but only those who have a legal, official route to sanctuary in our country.  

"Conflating the two only undermines serious discussion and damages public trust.

"Lancashire communities have long played a vital role in offering sanctuary.

"I urge the council to reconsider this course of action and stand on the side of decency, compassion and responsibility.” 

The UKRS was launched by the Conservative government in 2021, covering a range of countries around the world.

Guidance published by the Home Office, in July 2025, said: "The UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS) reaffirms the UK’s ongoing commitment to refugee resettlement, which continues to be an important component of the UK’s humanitarian response.

"Under the UKRS, the UK will continue to offer a safe and legal route to vulnerable refugees in need of protection.

"The government makes funding available to allow local authorities, healthcare providers and community sponsors to support refugees for the duration of the scheme (currently up to five years)."

The Afghan Resettlement Programme was launched by the government in 2024 and brought together three existing Afghan resettlement schemes into one.

A National Audit Office investigation into government Afghan resettlement schemes, published in March 2026, said: "Between October 2001 and late August 2021, the UK had a military presence in Afghanistan. During this 20-year period, the UK government employed local Afghan citizens. This work sometimes came with significant risk to those Afghan citizens and their families, who feared reprisals from the Taliban.

"From 2010, the UK ran a variety of schemes to resettle certain groups of Afghan citizens in specific circumstances. Although the schemes closed to new applicants in July 2025, there are still large numbers of people going through the resettlement process and the government anticipates that resettlement and integration activity will continue until 2032-33.

"Between 2021 and 2025 the government resettled around 38,000 Afghan citizens in the UK, including many people who worked with British forces during the UK’s military presence in Afghanistan.

"The government closed its Afghan schemes in 2025 but still expects to resettle around 9,000 more people who were already in the resettlement system, by 2029."

Programmes for Ukrainian nationals to enter or remain in the UK were launched by the government in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

A Reform UK spokesperson said visa routes currently coordinated by the county such as the Homes For Ukraine Scheme - which the council has a legal obligation to provide - would remain unaffected by any withdrawal from the UKRS and Afghan resettlement programmes.

The proposal to withdraw will go before Lancashire County Council cabinet in the summer.

Share

Have you got a local news story? Email us now, newsdesk@beyondradio.co.uk

Join our free WhatsApp channel and get the latest news direct to your phone:

More from Local News

On Air Now Lovin the 90s 9:00pm - 10:00pm
Now Playing
Close to You Maxi Priest Download
Recently Played

Recently Played Songs

Up next on Beyond Radio

Download our Official Apps