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'Highlands ready to do right by refugees forced to flee Afghanistan – but UK Government support is needed'


By Hector MacKenzie

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THE Highlands stand ready "to do right by those who have been forced to flee Afghanistan" but will need UK Government support to do so.

That was the message today after Easter Ross MP Jamie Stone spoke on the issue in the Commons, with a senior Highland councillor echoing the comments.

Speaking on an Urgent Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross Jamie Stone, who is also LibDem spokesperson for Defence, urged the Government to supply proper funding to local councils to support refugees coming to the UK from Afghanistan.

He said later: "It is absolutely crucial that local councils across the whole of the UK are supported as we welcome refugees into our country. We cannot allow for our communities to crack during this time of increased pressure. It's simple, if local councils are not properly funded by the UK Government, the commitment to refugees will fail.

"This will worst of all affect the most vulnerable in society and ignite a fire for Afghan refugees who only recently escaped the frying pan. I can only speak for the Highlands, but I can confidently say that we want to provide asylum for those who need it. This is not the time to pass the blame between devolved nations. The UK must come together to put right the wrongs we, as one nation, have made."

Councillor Alisdair Christie, who is deputy leader of Highland Council said: "The Highland Council is ready and willing to resettle refugees through the UK resettlement scheme. It is now crucial that local authorities are properly supported with funding from central government, so we can do right by those who have been forced to flee Afghanistan."

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