Plymouth agrees to cap of 30 refugees by 2025

Plymouth has already welcomed 267 people through similar schemes since 2015

Plymouth has agreed to a cap of 30 refugees who will be allowed to come to the city by 2025, the city council has said.

The council said the cap would ensure that Plymouth remained a "welcoming city", while avoiding too much pressure on the local housing market.

It came after the Labour-led council backed a government commitment to set a cap on the number of people arriving in the UK on safe and legal routes for humanitarian purposes.

The cap will be reviewed in 2024 to see if it is still appropriate.

'People at risk'

The 30 asylum seekers will arrive through the UK Resettlement Scheme and the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme, which are funded by the government for the first three to five years.

These schemes relocate vulnerable people who are at risk in a third country as asylum seekers, such as women, children, and minorities.

Plymouth has already welcomed 267 people through similar schemes since 2015.

Councillor Chris Penberthy, cabinet member for housing, co-operative development and communities, said: "I’m very proud that yet again Plymouth will become a sanctuary for some of the world’s most vulnerable people.

"We are a compassionate, welcoming city and decisions like this ensure that we can commit to helping people who have lost so much because of war and persecution.

"I look forward to personally welcoming these people and supporting them to live a new life here in Plymouth."

The council also announced the commissioning of a Resettlement Support Service, which will help the refugees with housing, language, employment, and community integration.

It said the service would also promote community cohesion and cultural awareness in the city.