Hundreds of vulnerable Syrians to be given refuge in UK
Amnesty says move is 'long overdue' but polls suggest nearly half of voters are opposed
HUNDREDS of Syrian refugees will be allowed to settle in the UK over the next year, the Deputy Prime Minister has announced.
Nick Clegg last night confirmed that women and girls who have experienced or are at risk of sexual violence, torture victims and the elderly will be offered refuge in the country.
The Coalition has refused to commit to a quota, says The Times, but it is understood that several hundred refugees from the conflict in Syria will be accepted during the next 12 months.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"We are one of the most open-hearted countries in the world and I believe we have a moral responsibility to help," said Clegg.
The Deputy Prime Minister said Britain will not open its borders to all Syrian refugees, but added: "We can reach out to some of those who need it most."
The move was described as "long overdue" by Kate Allen, director of Amnesty International UK, but she said that it was "never too late to do the right thing".
Allen told the BBC that the Government's line on allowing Syrian refugees to settle in the UK had been "shameful" so far, with "months of refusal and weak arguments".
Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said that "compassion and common sense have won through".
However, the idea of offering refuge appears to be "unpopular with voters", says the Times. A YouGov poll last week suggested that 47 per cent of Britons are opposed to admitting several hundred Syrian refugees, while just 39 per cent are in favour.
The UK's resettlement programme is to be separate from an ongoing UN scheme, which has seen Germany commit to admitting 10,000 Syrian refugees. Britain will work with the UN to examine each applicant on a case-by-case basis, but the UK looks unlikely to join the UN's official resettlement scheme, which enforces targets.
Home Secretary Theresa May is expected to spell out more details of the Government's plan to MPs later today.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The teenage 'maths prodigy' who turned out to be a cheat
Under The Radar Jiang Ping defied expectations in a global competition but something wasn't right
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Puppet shows, pagodas and pho: a guide to Hanoi
The Week Recommends Vietnam's capital city blends the ancient with the new
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
'There are benefits, but not acknowledging them would tell only half of the story'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published