Calls for more refugees to be resettled in Bristol as ‘fantastic’ scheme is praised

-Credit: (Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC)
-Credit: (Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC)


Councillors have called for more refugees to be resettled in Bristol than the current plan of 30 families a year. The resettlement team at Bristol City Council helps people fleeing war and persecution settle into a new life in the city, with a wide range of support on offer.

The team is aiming to resettle 30 families a year, including 15 from Afghanistan. The council’s resettlement work is funded by the Home Office. Over the past six years, Bristol has welcomed almost 2,000 refugees, with over half coming from Ukraine.

Updates on the resettlement work were given to the adult social care policy committee on September 2. The committee praised the “fantastic work” but said Bristol should help even more refugees resettle here.

READ MORE:Chef fell from ship's gangway and wasn't found until the following day

READ MORE:Full story of woman killed by rugby ball as she watched match

Francesca Wickens, interim head of service for the refugee resettlement and asylum team, said: “The team has been welcoming refugees for the last nine years. We originally had an agreement from the mayor for 15 families, and as schemes developed and changed over time, that was increased to 20.

“Now bearing in mind the numbers that we’ve been able to resettle, and within the funds that we’ve granted by the Home Office, we feel it would be completely reasonable and possible for our team to support 30 families a year.”

The team helps refugees get housing, jobs, school places, bank accounts and more. English classes are also on offer, to help people get set up with their new life in Bristol. For the two main resettlement schemes, the Home Office pays the council £20,520 per year per person. So if the council were to resettle more than 30 families, the government funding would also increase.

Labour Councillor Kelvin Blake, vice-chair of the policy committee, said: “What an antidote to all the stuff that’s happened recently. We would be very open for you to come back with a higher figure. This is a fantastic scheme and it’s exactly what we want in Bristol, to show that we’re an open and supportive city.”

Green Cllr Tim Wye added: “I personally think we should take as many refugees as you tell us we comfortably can.”

While some refugees receive support from the resettlement team, many people who are seeking asylum have been left to languish in hotels in and around the city. There has previously been frequent criticism about the poor quality of food, accommodation and support, and in August one hotel in Bristol was targeted by far-right rioters.