Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Home Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Debbie Abrahams Excerpts
Monday 12th October 2015

(8 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Harrington of Watford Portrait Richard Harrington
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The Government are working closely with the authorities in Calais to make sure that this does not happen.

Debbie Abrahams Portrait Debbie Abrahams (Oldham East and Saddleworth) (Lab)
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16. Oldham and many other areas are under incredible financial pressure at the moment, but we want to do our bit to support refugees. What practical and financial support will be provided by the Government beyond the single-year funding that is currently provided, and will any such support reflect the good practice set out in the UNHCR’s gateway programme, which has shown the long-term benefits of financial front-loading?

Lord Harrington of Watford Portrait Richard Harrington
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As the hon. Lady will be aware, the year one costs are taken care of, to cover the cost of refugees coming to this country. The Government have looked carefully at covering years two to five, because we are conscious of the fact that local authorities will be incurring extra costs. In the letter that I wrote on 1 October to the chief executives of local councils, it was made clear that the Government would be assisting them with the extra costs incurred.