Council chiefs in Aberdeen have told the Home Office they are ready to take Syrian refugees – and the first ones are expected to arrive before the end of the year.
The local authority will welcome 100 refugees from camps in Syria as part of the UK’s commitment to take 20,000 over five years.
It is understood the new arrivals will not be given priority over of the approximately 7,911 locals on the housing waiting list.
Yesterday, Minister for Europe and International Development Humza Yousaf said that a third of the 1,000 refugees arriving in the UK before Christmas would be housed in Scotland.
Aberdeen City Council leader Jenny Laing said: “We are now proceeding to the stage of holding discussions with the Home Office with a view to receiving our first refugees.
“We now await information from the Home Office regarding the approximate composition of households being prioritised under the Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme.
“Once we have that information, Aberdeen will be in a position to make a firm offer in terms of whom we will be able to help and when.
“That offer would require a detailed timeline to allow all stakeholders to work towards delivery.
“A complex package of support, based around housing, education, DWP benefits and health care is required, and we want to ensure that those refugees who come to Aberdeen are integrated into our communities in a way that reflects the kind-hearted nature of Aberdonians.”
Minister for Syrian Refugees Richard Harrington said: “We are grateful to those councils who have come forward to offer accommodation, help and support to give vulnerable people the chance to rebuild their lives.
“Councils are playing a vital role in this process and we will continue to work closely with local government associations, NGOs and partner organisations to resettle people who are in desperate need of our help.”
A spokeswoman for the Aberdeen Solidarity with Refugees group said: “Speed of delivery has always been a priority for Aberdeen Solidarity with Refugees and we welcome any and all action by the local authority to expedite the practical delivery of their response.”