New figures released by the Home Office today [Thursday 24 August] show that 96 Syrian refugees were settled in Wales between April and June this year.
This is a slight increase to the 75 welcomed at the start of the year, and brings the overall total up to 568.
Although the number has increased, 13 Local authorities have welcomed no refugees, compared to 11 in the last quarter.
Ben Lloyd, Oxfam Cymru’s Campaigns and Advocacy manager said;
“We welcome the fact that the rate of Syrian refugees being hosted in Wales has increased in the past months, but there is much more that could, and should be done.
“Northern Ireland has welcomed 117 in the same time frame, while Scotland settled 146, showing clearly that Wales is falling behind.
“We have proved in the past that we can put the effort in to take in our fair share throughout Wales, and these figures show a disappointing trend. If Wales is committed to be a nation of sanctuary, it is vital that every Local Authority make every effort to take in their fair share of refugees who are fleeing from the ongoing civil war.”
//ENDS
- The latest data is available on the Home Office website within Asylum data table volume 4: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-statistics-april-to-june-2017/how-many-people-do-we-grant-asylum-or-protection-to