Council sets Hull refugee resettlement pledge for coming years to help people fleeing 'turmoil'

A total of 50 people forced to flee their home countries will be resettled in Hull this year and next under the council's latest refugee pledge.

It is set to see 20 people who have arrived in the UK under Refugee Resettlement Programmes welcomed between now and December and 30 in 2025. The decision to take in the refugees is in line with Hull's City of Sanctuary status which has built up a local network of groups who support new arrivals.

Hull City Council Culture Portfolio Holder Cllr Rob Pritchard said the area had a proud history of welcoming refugees and the authority should step up to help displaced people. The council's decision to take in the refugees will see its Strategic Migration Partnership with Migration Yorkshire extended.

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Its commitment to take 50 refugees is set to attract an estimated £1.026m in Home Office funding over the next three to five years to support the new arrivals. The council is set to contribute £14,352 towards the Children and Families Wellbeing Service as part of the resettlements.

The service, which has been running since 2018, supports children with therapy to help them recover from trauma. It also provides families with specialist interpreters and mental health practitioners.

Support to get refugees into work will also be expanded on including with a new Hull Refugee Employability Forum. It is set to work to try and increase the number of new arrivals in work.

The pledge to take in 50 refugees by the end of next year has taken into account the city's capacity to support those arriving. It has also factored in demand from arrivals from other programmes such as asylum seekers and those arriving under the Homes For Ukraine scheme.

Cllr Pritchard said grant funding would be used to support the integration of those arriving in Hull. The portfolio holder said: "As a City of Sanctuary, Hull has a proud history of welcoming refugees.

"When there is turmoil in the world and people are being displaced, it is important that we step up and help in this humanitarian endeavour and so I support the council agreeing to resettle and support the refugees. There is an identified need for specialist employment and wellbeing support and I support the proposal to use funding for the schemes."