FOLLOWING a letter to residents and press earlier in the month from MP Karen Lumley, and Redditch Council leader Bill Hartnett, reassuring residents on the issue of Syrian refugees being re-housed in the town, Mrs Lumley has sought further clarification on the issue in Parliament.

The short letter stressed that no more than two or three families will be coming to the town and the cost will not come from the tax payer.

It also asked people if they can welcome the refugees.

Mrs Lumley was invited to ask a question on the subject of funding for the resettlement of Syrian refugees last week in the House of Commons.

She asked: “What assessment has been made of the effect of the Syrian refugee resettlement programme on the resources required by local authorities?”

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Refugees, Richard Harrington, responded by saying: “Resettlement costs for year one are funded by the Department for International Development (DfID) through the official development assistance budget. At the Spending Review, we announced a further £129 million towards local authority costs in years two to five.”

He added that amount had been calculated after consulting the Local Government Association and local authorities with experience in the field on the likely costs they would incur in being part of the refugee resettlement programme.

Mrs Lumley said: “I am working hard with my council leader, Bill Hartnett, to provide a place for two Syrian families in Redditch. Does my Hon Friend agree with me that this is the right thing to do, and will he reassure local people it will not be paid for by local Council Tax, as there is some concern in my town about that?”

Mr Harrington thanked Karen and Cllr Hartnett for the part they have played in the joint bid with Worcestershire County Council to join in the refugee scheme and added: “As they are aware, we work closely with local authorities to ensure capacity is identified as suitable for that area, and I again confirm that the funding available through the Spending Review will go a long way towards funding the resettlement of Syrian refugees.”

Speaking afterwards Mrs Lumley said: “We believe we should do what we can for those caught up in the Syrian crisis, and trust that our community will welcome victims fleeing war, famine and persecution.

“And I welcome the reassurance from the minister regarding the funding.”