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<p>The Prime Minister has announced the expansion of the Government's Syrian Vulnerable
Person Scheme, which is based on need rather than fulfilling a quota in a particular
year. We expect to resettle 20,000 Syrians in need of protection during this Parliament.
As the expanded scheme is based on need and reliant on the UNHCR and other partners
to deliver, it is not possible or appropriate to set any sort of annual target, but
we are clear that we must help people as soon as possible as the Home Secretary updated
the House on 16 September.</p><p>In addition to the Scheme, since the crisis in Syria
began in 2011 we have granted asylum or other forms of leave to almost 5,000 Syrian
nationals and dependants through normal asylum procedures. The UK has a proud history
of offering asylum to those who need it most; we will continue to carefully consider
all asylum applications made in the UK on their individual merits to ensure we provide
protection where it is really needed.</p>
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