Lib Dems call for additional refugee support in West Northants

The party's proposals could see a new refugee centre in Northamptonshire

By Natalie Bloomer

Refugees in West Northamptonshire must be given more support, say the area’s Lib Dems.

A motion put forward by the party to be discussed at this week’s full council meeting suggests that a new refugee centre is needed to provide the extra support required.

If passed, the party says the centre would be a single point of reference with access to information, advice and services. There could also be help with job hunting and learning English.

The motion says that £300,000 should be taken from the council’s reserves if the refugee funding allocated by the government is not sufficient to cover the cost of the additional support. 

The proposals would also see the local authority look to fill care vacancies with qualified people from refugee communities, and write to West Northants MPs and the home secretary calling for changes to the visa rules for the Homes For Ukraine system.

Deputy leader of the West Northants Lib Dem group Jonathan Harris told NN Journal:

“The Ukraine situat…