Shadow Social Justice Minister and North Wales MS Mark Isherwood has called on the Welsh Government to make sure that Wales plays its full part in ensuring that Afghans who have had to flee their homes “receive the vital support that they will need to rebuild their lives and have a future with stability and security.”
Responding to yesterday’s Statement on Afghanistan in the Senedd by the Minister for Social Justice, Jane Hutt MS, Mr Isherwood emphasised the importance of providing refuge to Afghans forced to leave their home country, “including those coming to the UK who worked closely with the British military and the UK Government in Afghanistan, and risked their lives in doing so”.
He also questioned the Minister over sites being considered in Wales for the rehousing of Afghans and called on her to ensure that they all meet the necessary quality standards for individuals and families,
He added:
“And importantly, how will you ensure engagement with local communities to minimise opposition and maximise understanding and support?”
Mr Isherwood, who sponsored and hosted the ‘Sanctuary in the Senedd’ event five years ago, also referred to the divergent support being provided to Afghans by the 22 local authorities in Wales and asked the Minister what action she will take to ensure they all take their fair share of refugees.
He said:
“Press coverage on 1 September confirmed that each of Wales's 22 Councils had pledged to house refugees from Afghanistan, but responses then ranged from Carmarthenshire saying they would take three families comprising 15 people, and both Monmouthshire and Neath Port Talbot saying they would supply initial support for three families and for two more later, to Pembrokeshire stating 'Zero but subject to community response', and Bridgend, Caerphilly, Flintshire, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Denbighshire failing to answer the same four questions put to every Council.
“However, Denbighshire subsequently confirmed that it will provide support for five refugee families under the UK Government's Afghan Relocation Assistance Policy, and that the number could be increased to 10 families, dependent on a comprehensive funding settlement or commitment beyond the then one-year time frame.”
He also asked the Minister how she will work with the UK Government to ensure that funding support from both Governments reaches the right places, referring to the UK Government funding package announced yesterday, under which Councils supporting people through the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme or Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy Scheme will receive £20,520 per person over three years for resettlement and integration costs; called on her to ensure wider support from the devolved services for which the Welsh Government is responsible, especially health, education, and social services; and asked how she will ensure that the Third Sector, Churches and other faith groups which will play a key part in supporting the Afghan adult and children settled in Wales, will be directly integrated into the planning, design and delivery of support services from inception.
ENDS
NOTE: Under the UK Government funding package announced yesterday, local Councils and Health partners which resettle families will also receive up to £4,500 per child for education, £850 to cover English language provision for adults requiring this support and £2,600 to cover healthcare.