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<p>A number of local authorities across the UK accept Syrian refugees under normal
asylum procedures. Over 3,400 Syrians have been granted asylum or other forms of leave
since the crisis in Syria began in 2011. Furthermore, Syrian asylum seekers who are
not being accommodated by the Government, can choose to live in any local authority
area. <br><br>In addition to this the Home Secretary launched the Syrian Vulnerable
Persons Relocation (VPR) scheme last January to provide sanctuary for those displaced
Syrians who are most at risk, particularly survivors of torture and violence, women
and children at risk and those in need of medical care. <br><br>Following the launch
of this scheme the Home Secretary wrote to the Chairman of the Local Government Association
on 11 February 2014 encouraging local authority participation and this letter has
been cascaded across local authorities. So far, three local authorities have received
refugees under the scheme and we continue to engage closely with additional local
authorities who have expressed an interest in participation. We therefore remain confident
that we can continue to meet the needs of arrivals in the UK under the scheme as planned
but we welcome further offers of support from other local authorities as the scheme
progresses.<br><br>Full costs borne by the local authorities will not be known until
the refugees have been in UK for a full 12 months. Costs will depend on the particular
vulnerabilities of those brought to the UK, and we are keeping costs under close review.
<br><br>Central government is responsible for the overall funding of the scheme, but
we will recover costs wherever possible, including from international aid funding
schemes and potential EU funding schemes. We have put forward proposals to obtain
funding from the new EU Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and are hopeful of
a positive outcome. The UK’s National Programme is yet to be agreed and until this
is signed off by the EU Commission, costs to the Home Office specifically will not
be finalised.<br><br>Ninety people were relocated to the UK under the Syrian Vulnerable
Persons Relocation (VPR) scheme between the first group of arrivals on 25 March and
the end of September. This is the latest publicly available figure, as numbers are
released as part of the Home Office official statistics each quarter. The number of
arrivals under the scheme up to the end of December 2014 will be published on 26 February.
<br><br>We have said that we expect the scheme to help several hundred people over
three years, and we remain on track to deliver that commitment.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>
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