Plaid Cymru's proud record in welcoming refugees
Plaid Cymru local authorities’ record on welcoming refugees highlighted in Westminster
Plaid Cymru’s Westminster leader, Liz Saville Roberts MP today (16 March 2022) highlighted Plaid Cymru-led local authorities’ “particularly good track record with resettlement” during a debate on Ukrainian refugees in Parliament.
She highlighted that Plaid Cymru led local authorities in general have an above average resettlement rate compared to the UK as a whole, with Ceredigion having the highest resettlement rate in Wales (10 people per 10,000 population) and Carmarthenshire resettled the highest number of people in Wales (172).
Ms Saville Roberts also drew attention to Cyngor Gwynedd’s letter to the Prime Minister yesterday expressing the willingness of the council and people in Gwynedd to provide sanctuary for refugees as soon as possible and urged for the sponsorship pathway to replicate the arrangements that exist in Ireland.
She also urged Ministers to follow the “leading example” shown by Urdd Gobaith Cymru in providing food, activities and accommodation for refugees in a holistic programme with the full engagement of councils and Welsh Government. Ms Saville Roberts has previously criticised the UK Government for a lack of consultation with Welsh local authorities on the ‘Homes for Ukraine’ programme.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Ms Saville Roberts said:
“Wales has shown in the past that it can offer a welcome embrace to refugees, as was the case with families fleeing Afghanistan. I would like to point to a particular example here - Urdd Gobaith Cymru, Wales’ largest youth organisation, provided sanctuary and support for over 100 Afghan refugees throughout their first five months in Wales.
“This welcome included an offer of food and bridging accommodation, access to social spaces, a schedule of daily sports and activities, a programme of varied workshops, careers advice, nursery recreational sessions, and visits to national sporting events. It is recognised as being a leading example in how to help refugees integrate into Welsh communities - one of the best practices of resettlement in the United Kingdom.
“This was only possible with the full engagement of councils, the Welsh Government as well as the Urdd and other charities. In a response to a question by my friend Delyth Jewell AS yesterday, the First Minister Mark Drakeford confirmed that they will be considering a similar scheme for Ukrainian refugees. It is vital that the UK Government learns the lessons of this success for refugees from Ukraine.
“Plaid Cymru councils also have a particularly good track record with resettlement, including the families from Syria as well as Afghanistan. Plaid Cymru led local authorities in general have an above average resettlement rate compared to the UK as a whole, with Ceredigion having the highest resettlement rate in Wales (10 people per 10,000 population) and Carmarthenshire resettled the highest number of people in Wales (172).
“This is exceptional given the rural nature of these local authorities. Ministers must outline what national support networks are there to operate beyond the south-east and beyond London. If we are resettling people beyond the United Kingdom then it is essential that national support is extended beyond the south-east. Plaid Cymru councils will of course play their part in the new sponsorship pathway.
“My own council Cyngor Gwynedd wrote to the Prime Minister yesterday to express the willingness of the council and people in Gwynedd to provide sanctuary for refugees as soon as possible and urged for the sponsorship pathway to replicate the arrangements that exist in Ireland, where on arrival, refugees are welcomed to comfortable processing centres where they have access to basic essentials, and children have access to a safe play area.”