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Britain To Take In 'Thousands More' Refugees

Britain will take in "thousands more" refugees from camps on the Syrian border after the Government came under pressure to do more amid Europe's unfolding migration crisis.

David Cameron said Britain would act with "our head and our heart" in offering sanctuary to those fleeing the country's civil war after he faced calls to act from the public and politicians.

Mr Cameron did not give a specific figure, but said he would set out more detail next week.

Speaking during a visit to Portugal, Mr Cameron said: "We have already accepted around 5,000 Syrians and we have introduced a specific resettlement scheme, alongside those we already have, to help those Syrian refugees particularly at risk.

"As I said earlier this week, we will accept thousands more under these existing schemes and we keep them under review.

"And given the scale of the crisis and the suffering of the people, today I can announce that we will do more - providing resettlement for thousands more Syrian refugees."

Later, after meeting the Spanish prime minister, Mr Cameron announced Britain would provide an additional £100m in aid for Syrian refugees, bringing the total to more than £1bn.

Earlier, a spokeswoman for the UN's refugee agency was quoted by the Associated Press news agency as saying Britain would take in 4,000 refugees.

However, the UNHCR later issued a statement clarifying that it had not been given confirmation of the number of refugees to be taken by the UK.

The statement said: "UNHCR welcomes the Prime Minister's announcement to resettle thousands more Syrian refugees to the UK.

"The number of Syrians to be resettled has not been confirmed by UNHCR.

"We look forward to receiving further details on the exact figures and will continue to work closely with the Government on ensuring safe legal routes to the UK for some of the most vulnerable Syrians living in refugee camps."

The agency's UK representative Gonzalo Vargas Llosa told the Press Association he welcomed Mr Cameron's pledge as a "meaningful increase", but indicated he expected Britain to be open to increasing the numbers if the war in Syria continues.

So far, just 216 Syrians have been admitted to the UK under a scheme to help the most vulnerable in refugee camps.

Some 5,000 have been granted asylum since 2011.

Germany has accepted 35,000 Syrians through a UN scheme for vulnerable migrants, Canada more than 10,000, Australia 5,600 and Switzerland 3,500.

Previously, Mr Cameron said his Government was opposed to letting more refugees come to Britain, a stance that prompted criticism from the contenders for the Labour leadership during a Sky News debate.

But speaking on Friday the PM defended Britain's response, saying the country had helped refugees throughout its history.

Mr Cameron also said Britain had provided more aid to help Syrian refugees than any other European nation.

However, he gave no indication Britain would be willing to resettle any migrants from other countries who have made perilous journeys across the Mediterranean to get to Europe in recent months.

SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon said the UK can and must do more to help those fleeing Syria.

The First Minister said Scotland should accept 1,000 people as a "starting point", and accused the UK Government of "struggling to show leadership in this refugee crisis".

Ms Sturgeon said images of desperate families seeking safety would "haunt our consciences and reputation for many generations to come if we don't together and collectively act to help those in desperate need".

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper welcomed the announcement, but added: "The British Government should also offer to help some of the refugees who have already fled into Europe."

Antonio Guterres, UN high commissioner for refugees, said the EU was facing a defining moment and must "mobilise full force" towards a common approach.

But UKIP leader Nigel Farage said the EU "has got this wrong".

He argued the majority of those crossing the Mediterranean were economic migrants and they should not be encouraged to undertake that journey.

Mr Farage said: "Anybody that comes, from whatever background and virtually for whatever reason, can claim to be a refugee.

"If the European Union wants to help genuine refugees, they need to establish offshore centres and process people correctly, rather than inviting what has now turned into a headlong rush."

Mr Farage warned militants from Islamic State could be among those admitted, and warned: "We must not allow our compassion to imperil our safety."

How are Syrian refugees given asylum status?

:: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) will identify Syrians in the region to be prioritised for resettlement. Candidates might have particular medical needs or security concerns, or be vulnerable for some other reason

:: Those chosen for resettlement will be entered into the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme. The Government has discretion over who to accept.

:: Around 40 councils have said they would be willing to house and support a certain number of refugees . The Government cannot force councils to accept refugees.

When that person arrives in the UK, they will be met at the airport by the Refugee Council and any other interested parties, and taken immediately to the local authority where they will be housed. Their accommodation will have been arranged before they arrive.

:: They are then given 12 months of support. This includes registering with a GP, local school, job centre, banking services, welfare benefits, English language courses etc. This is funded by both the Home Office and the EU.