Housing waiting list no excuse not to take Syrian refugees, says Highland councillor
A leading opposition councillor has refuted the council leader’s claims that lack of housing could limit the Highland’s response to the Syrian refugee crisis.
David Alston has played down Margaret Davidson’s fears housing for refugees would be restricted due to more than 10,000 people on the council housing waiting list.
Councillor Alston, who leads the Highland Liberal Democrats, said Highland’s housing stock was no worse off than anywhere else - and there was a moral obligation to shelter stricken refugees.
He said: "UKIP tried to present it in this way too. I think it’s a false way to present things. There is a lack of housing throughout the country, in fact it’s far greater in parts of south east of England than in Highland.
"I do not think we are in any more difficulty than anywhere else and I have no doubt at all that we should be playing our part to help to accommodate those seeking asylum. If the will is there a way will be found."
The comments come after Councillor Davidson’s warning yesterday that although the council was was open to accepting refugees, its lengthy housing waiting list would restrict the numbers that it could offer shelter to.
She said: "We’ve got 10,000 people on our own housing waiting list so it’s about how we can accommodate a batch of refugees if they come to the Highlands without disrupting all the systems we’ve got running in place at the moment for people within acute housing needs."
Talks are taking place this week between council officials, elected members and outside agencies including Christian aid charity Blythswood Care, to formulate a Highland response to the humanitarian crisis caused by people fleeing conflict in Syria.
Councillor Davidson believes medical workers who are among refugees given shelter in Scotland should be offered vacant health care jobs.
The Highlands has been struggling to recruit GPs and consultants.
Caithness General Hospital in Wick needs eight consultants, an annual review of NHS Highland’s performance heard on Monday.
And NHS Highland has also been running adverts in Holland to find doctors to fill vacancies at GP practices.
The majority of Scotland’s 32 councils have already indicated a willingness to accommodate refugees affected by the current humanitarian crisis, Europe Minister Humza Yousaf said today. Mr Yousaf was speaking at the close of the first meeting of a new task force set up by the First Minister to coordinate Scotland’s response to the crisis in southern Europe. The task force also announced the creation of an online hub to signpost members of the public to information about how they can donate or register their willingness to help refugees in other ways. An operational task force brings together Scottish Ministers, the Scottish Refugee Council, the UK Government, local government and key stakeholders to coordinate Scotland’s humanitarian and practical response. Its first meeting today considered issues including housing, health services, language support, and social services for refugees. At its conclusion, Mr Yousaf said the task force heard from COSLA that they have had an "overwhelming, unprecedented response" from local authorities in making their initial inquires.The Minister also confirmed the task force is developing an online hub of resources to signpost members of the public to information about how they can donate to the cause, register available accommodation, assist with lessons in English as a second language, assist in befriending services and direct the public to drop off hubs for donated materials. Humza Yousaf, Minister for Europe and International Development said: “We have repeatedly made clear that Scotland stands ready to play its part and take a fair share of refugees to help some of the most vulnerable people in need. “Today’s task force considered the immediate, practical actions we can take to help. In the first instance we are working with councils across Scotland to identify capacity to accommodate refugees, and what services we will need to put in place to support families to start a new life in safety in Scotland. “It is very encouraging to hear that the majority of councils have indicated a willingness to accommodate refugees – we will now build on this positive response and ensure the appropriate support and integration services are put in place. “We have seen overwhelming support for refugees through social media and other means – and the online resources we are developing will help to signpost people to information about the practical steps they can take to help. We expect this will go live in the coming days.”
What do you think? Should families in Highland waiting years for a house be given more priority over Syrian refugees?