Local authorities and the Gateway Protection Programme

This page describes how the UK Border Agency works with local authorities to help vulnerable refugees through the Gateway Protection Programme, and explains how more local authorities can get involved.

By providing a safe haven for those who need it, local authorities around the United Kingdom have seen refugees from some of the most troubled parts of the world rebuild their lives and make a difference in their new communities.

Since its launch in 2004, our Gateway Protection Programme has resettled more than 2,000 refugees around the country. At present, 15 local authorities are participating in the programme, but we are keen to increase this number.

The programme is run in conjunction with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), who receives resettlement applications from refugees and passes them on to us. We then interview the applicants at their camps, focusing on those who are particularly vulnerable.

Up to 750 successful applicants per year are brought to the United Kingdom, where they are resettled by the participating local authorities. During each refugee's first year here, we fund the local authority to provide accommodation, benefits and access to health and education services. We also fund 12 months of integration casework support (provided by non-governmental organisations, local asylum teams or housing associations).

Before resettling the refugees, we talk to each of the participating local authorities to discover how many they can support - the numbers vary from 20 to 100, but we welcome every contribution. We also give the local authority background information about the refugees in advance, enabling preparations to be made.

The programme has seen many examples of successful integration.

Bolton Council was one of the first local authorities to get involved in the programme. Jon Lord, head of Bolton Community Homes, says:

'Gateway is a prime example of national government working in partnership with local government to fulfil their humanitarian role - and the voluntary and community sector play a key role in ensuring these newly arrived refugees are supported effectively. These outcomes are rarely achieved without the partnership of each other.'

We have received many other positive comments about the programme, and we are keen to hear from local authorities that are interested in taking part. To find out more, email resettlementprogramme@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk.