Introduction to resettlement

Resettlement is the relocation through approved legal routes for recognised refugees from a country in which they have claimed asylum, to a third country (i.e. the UK) with the purpose of permanent settlement.

NEMP’s role

The North East Migration Partnership (NEMP) works closely with the Home Office to support local councils in their acceptance of refugees resettling in the North East region.

NEMP also works to develop strategy around ensuring the long-term success of resettlement in the region and the integration of the resettled families into their new communities. The success of this work also relies on close cooperation and collaboration in partnership with the Home Office.

The current context

Hotels have been used as a temporary measure to provide accommodation for those evacuated to the UK as a result of the events in Afghanistan following the fall of Kabul in August 2021. The government announced plans in March 2023 to permanently close all Afghan bridging hotels by 31st August 2023 meaning these people had to find permanent accommodation quickly. Local councils, the government, strategic migration partnerships (SMPs), and the community and voluntary sector have all worked collaboratively under immense pressure to support Afghan families and individuals find settled accommodation.

It was further announced in July 2023 that a small number of hotels will remain open for Afghans either with medical needs or those ‘pre-matched’ by councils to properties becoming available by December 2023 across the UK. Those unable to find or refusing accommodation can contact their local council for homelessness support.

Those already in the UK and arriving through both schemes will be granted immediate indefinite leave to remain which gives rights to work and benefits and the option to apply for British citizenship after five years. It has also been confirmed that any future arrivals under the two existing schemes will be resettled directly into accommodation and not hotels, with further detail to follow. Arrivals from Afghanistan may also continue to come to the UK to claim asylum.

Data

You can find the latest resettlement figures on the government website, in the quarterly immigration statistics. Resettlement is included under ‘how many people do we grant protection to?’

You can find more detailed data, including statistics on asylum applications, initial decisions and resettlement on the government website, in the immigration statistics data tables. The data is available as a spreadsheet, under ‘asylum and resettlement’.