In response to the publication today of the Government’s national strategies for refugee integration and refugee employment, ‘Integration Matters’ and ‘Working to Rebuild Lives’, Maeve Sherlock, Chief Executive of the Refugee Council, said:

“The Government has an important role to play and much to gain in helping refugees to settle and to work in the UK.

“So we welcome the publication of the integration strategy which we hope will increase opportunities for refugees to build on the contribution they already make to this country. We also welcome the Department of Work and Pension’s efforts to help more refugees find suitable jobs, as many of the skills they have to offer are being wasted at the moment.

“Ministers deserve credit for recognising that more needs to be done to assist people who have fled torture and oppression to rebuild their lives and to contribute to the UK, as past generations of refugees have been able to do.

“We urge the government to monitor and review the strategies annually to ensure these good intentions are turned into effective actions.”

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