SCOTLAND has taken in more Syrian refugees than any other part of the United Kingdom in the first year of the UK Government’s expanded resettlement scheme, new figures show.
The statistics from the Home Office reveal that a total of 4,162 people were resettled under the initiative in the year to the end of September.
Last year, the UK Government committed to take in 20,000 Syrians driven from the war-torn country by 2020 following a public outcry over the fate of those attempting the perilous journey across the Mediterranean.
In terms of the nations and regions of the UK, Scotland has taken in the most Syrian refugees, resettling1,147; more than a quarter of the overall total.
The figures show arrivals under the Whitehall initiative were at the highest quarterly level so far in the three months to September with 1,516 people resettled around the country.
Some 49 per cent of those resettled under the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme were under 18 years old - 2,059 - and around the same proportion, 48 per cent, were female, numbering 1,989.
Those brought to Britain have been resettled across 175 different local authorities in the year from October 2015, an increase from 118 in the first nine months.
Coventry has received the highest number of refugees out of local authority areas so far, with 161.
Earlier this year a Commons committee report warned of a "two-tier system" in relation to the programme, which is voluntary for town halls, after figures showed some had taken in dozens of refugees while others had received none.
Spending watchdogs have estimated the total cost of the scheme could top £1.7 billion.
In an assessment published in September the National Audit Office also warned that a shortage of housing and school places could pose a threat to the chances of meeting the pledge.
Stephen Hale, the Chief Executive of Refugee Action, said: "It's great to see this pledge is becoming a reality as communities all over the country are choosing to welcome refugees to their areas.
"But the appalling events unfolding in Aleppo are a brutal reminder that there is no end in sight to the war in Syria or the immense suffering of children and civilians caught up in the violence."
He added: "This is the world's worst refugee crisis in more than 60 years. We have a moral and a legal duty to offer sanctuary to more refugees from Syria and other war-torn, unsafe countries."
Amber Rudd, the Home Secretary, commented: "The support of local authorities, devolved administrations, and the tremendous goodwill of the British people, has been paramount in helping us resettle so many vulnerable people who have fled conflict.
"We are very much on track to resettle 20,000 Syrian refugees by the end of this Parliament.”
She described the humanitarian crisis in Syria as unprecedented, which was why the Government had decided to undertake one of the largest resettlement schemes in the country’s history.
"The hard work will continue throughout this Parliament as we provide those who have been traumatised and damaged by war, with a safe and secure environment and the chance to rebuild their lives," she added.
David Simmonds, chairman of the Local Government Association's Asylum, Refugee and Migration Task Group, said: "Councils have an excellent track record in welcoming asylum-seeking and refugee children and their families for many years and continue to work hard to support the Syrian resettlement scheme, alongside all the other schemes in current operation.
"They have no say over when people will be allowed to enter the UK but stand ready to help when they do."
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