On Friday 12th February, Pauline Latham OBE MP hosted an event at St Peter’s Church, Belper, to discuss the Syrian Refugee crisis with local residents and Under Secretary of State for the Home Office, Mr Richard Harrington MP.
Mid-Derbyshire’s MP opened the event, introducing the Speakers to the crowd of over 100 local residents.
During his speech, Mr Harrington took the time to explain that the Government would not be dictating where the 20,000 refugees the UK plans to take by 2020 would be settled. Instead, it would be for individual councils to decide how many refugees they can safely house within their own district. He also stressed that local authorities would be given financial support to accommodate any refugees they can accept.
Drawing on his own experience of visiting Syria, Mr Harrington stressed that, with 4.3 million people displaced, it is no easy task in deciding which refugees the UK can resettle. He stated that the Home Office was working with the Department for International Development and the UN Human Rights Council to determine which refugees Britain can safely accommodate.
The Minister’s remarks were followed by the Bishop of Derby, the Rt Rev Alastair Redfern, who highlighted the plight of the Syrian refugees and argued for a compassionate response to the humanitarian crisis.
Following this, Mr Harrington took part in a Q&A, to directly address the questions and concerns of residents.
Pauline Latham OBE MP said:
“I hosted this event in response to the high volume of correspondence I have received on the UK’s response to Syrian Refugees from concerned constituents.
It was fantastic for local residents to hear directly from a Government Minister the steps Britain is taking to deal with this crisis.
I hope people were reassured by the Minister’s response and share my belief that Britain is making a significant contribution to helping the distressed people fleeing Syria.”