Working with refugees
The United Kingdom has a proud tradition of helping those who need our protection - and the Government remains committed to supporting refugees through its integration and resettlement programmes.
These programmes are delivered by the UK Border Agency and its strategic partners. Over the three years from 2008-09 to 2010-11, we are providing £5.1 million in strategic funding to our key partners - the British, Scottish and Welsh Refugee Councils.
Gateway Protection Programme
Since 2004 we have worked with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to offer a new life to the most vulnerable refugees in refugee camps and urban areas around the world. Each year, our Gateway Protection Programme gives up to 750 of these refugees a safe route to the United Kingdom and allows them to settle here.
The programme is delivered in partnership with local authorities. If a local authority signs up and accepts refugees through the programme, the Home Office will meet the costs of resettlement - covering health, housing and education - during each refugee's first year in the United Kingdom. Also, we provide each refugee's profile in advance so that local doctors, schools and employment advisers can prepare for their arrival.
As our case studies show, the Gateway Protection Programme has enabled refugees from some of the most troubled parts of the world to rebuild their lives and go on to make a difference to the community.
Refugee Integration and Employment Service
Refugees aged 18 or over who sucessfully apply for asylum or humanitarian protection in the United Kingdom (rather than being offered resettlement under the Gateway Protection Programme) can make use of our Refugee Integration and Employment Service (RIES).
RIES makes sure that new refugees get a standard support service, wherever they are in the United Kingdom. It is available to refugees during their first 12 months here, and offers them:
- employment advice;
- advice and support on their other needs, such as housing; and
- the chance to be matched with a mentor.
RIES focuses on employment as a key integration outcome, and has a target to get 30 per cent of refugees into work.
European Refugee Fund
Administered by the European Commission in Brussels, the European Refugee Fund provides funding for refugee integration projects as well as the Gateway Proection Programme.
The UK Border Agency is the national agency for the Fund, which is currently funding 14 innovative projects in the United Kingdom under its third phase (ERF III).