Council to buy homes for refugees fleeing conflict

The homes will be used to house Ukrainian's fleeing the invasion by Russia and Afghans who assisted the allies against the Taliban

New housing for refugees is to be bought by a council as part of what it calls its "moral duty" to protect people fleeing conflicts abroad.

Northumberland County Council is spending £1.2m to buy and refurbish seven properties, mostly located in the south east of the county.

The homes will house Ukranians seeking safety from the Russian invasion and Afghans who supported the UK in the war against the Taliban.

Council leader Glen Sanderson said buying the homes was "absolutely the right thing to do".

"We must always remember the bravery of our troops and those Afghans who tried to help them find a peaceful way through a very serious and awful conflict," he said.

The government will provide the money to buy the properties through the Local Authority Housing Fund, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The fund was set up to support councils in England to obtain accommodation for refugee families.

'Humanitarian schemes'

Conservative councillor Colin Horncastle said the homes would be provided to "people we know have a right to be in this country".

"If we go down this route it will bring an extra £600,000 of government money in to provide property for people that we have a moral duty to provide for," he said.

"In case people are concerned about the type of people it is aimed at, the objectives of this are to support recent humanitarian schemes such as the Afghan and Ukrainian schemes which offer sanctuary via safe and legal entry routes."

He added the new homes would "reduce pressure" on existing housing schemes.

"It’s a win-win situation. This is bringing Government money in and adding to our housing stock."

The proposal was unanimously approved by the council.