Cornwall continues to work in partnership with
- the Home Office
- and local partners
through our commitment to the UK Global Resettlement Scheme.
The plan from the UK government for 2020/21, was for 5000 global refugees to come to the UK.
This extends a government commitment from the previous Vulnerable Persons Scheme. Refugees were to be resettled from wider geographical areas to meet growing need.
The refugee crisis around the world has more than doubled since 2016. Globally there has been a 60% reduction in pledges of help for resettlement since 2016.
The needs of people unable to remain in their country due to;
- war
- conflict
- famine
- and changes in climate
Refugees arriving the UK will receive the same levels of support available via previous schemes.
With 5 years Leave to Remain status. Funding remains the same, as does all security checks.
Local initiatives
Cornwall Council has been able to work in partnership with six local Community Sponsorship groups. And one joint partnership model.
We wish to continue this joint working with local communities. Building local connections for the resettlement of families.
More information on the Home Office Community Sponsorship scheme is available below. Or, to discuss a possible group, please contact ResettlementService@cornwall.gov.uk
- Reset UK
- HM Government
- Charis Refugees
- Cornwall Refugee Resource Network
- Launceston Refugee Support Group
- Falmouth and Penryn Welcome Refugee Families
- Bude Refugees Support Group
- Penwith Welcomes Refugees
Through government funding, Cornwall Council provides Caseworker support for resettled refugee families. And work with community groups and partners to create new ways of working.
Joint working with schools continues, and we develop our learning across the county.
The UK Government requires all Local Authorities to help resettle people from Afghanistan. The Home Office provides Cornwall Council with funds to cover the costs of resettling Afghans. We expect to welcome around 100 Afghans in Cornwall in 2024.
The UK Government helps Afghan citizens in 2 ways:
- Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy – for people who used to work for the British government in Afghanistan
- Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme – for people who helped the UK efforts in Afghanistan, and for vulnerable people
Areas of highest need
There are 2.6 million Afghanistan refugees living in Iran due to conflict and human rights violations.
Afghanistan people are mainly rural people with;
- 75% living in the countryside.
- 63% of the known Afghan refugees are under 25 years old
