The Reform-led Lancashire county council has announced its intention to withdraw from the government's refugee resettlement scheme, a move that would make it the first local authority to do so. Joshua Roberts, the cabinet member for rural affairs, environment and communities, stated that Lancashire would leave the UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS) and the Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARP). The authority currently coordinates these schemes on behalf of 14 unitary and district councils in Lancashire that handle housing responsibilities.
Roberts argued that funds currently spent on resettling refugees should be redirected to support vulnerable residents and veterans in the county. While the schemes are fully funded by central government, Reform UK claims they still consume council resources and place significant strain on the local housing market.
Reform UK's stance
Roberts said: “This proposal is about fairness. Reform UK was elected last May to make sure that the people who live, work and contribute to Lancashire are put at the front of the queue and are not disadvantaged. We are calling on the Labour government to stop placing refugees in Lancashire and instead redirect public funds to better support our vulnerable residents and veterans. These people have been deprioritised by successive Labour and Conservative governments for far too long.”
Opposition reactions
Opposition councillors dismissed the plan as a political stunt. Azhar Ali, leader of the Progressive Lancashire opposition group, told the Lancashire Telegraph: “These are central government schemes, which Lancashire county council is paid to administer. If they decide that they no longer want to be paid for that work, the government will find other councils that do – it won’t stop the schemes.”
Conservative group leader Aidy Riggott said: “I await the cabinet paper with interest and do hope that this isn’t another bungled, ill-thought-through announcement from Reform just days before local elections in Lancashire.” Green party group leader Gina Dowding added: “This is Reform UK trying to pull a political stunt, for publicity, the week of local elections – but which will actually stop government funding coming into Lancashire to support refugees who are already here.”
Context and statistics
According to government statistics, 190,000 people were granted leave to come to or remain in the UK through safe and legal humanitarian routes in 2025, an increase on the previous year largely due to extensions for people on Ukraine schemes. A council spokesperson said: “We are aware of a statement issued by the Reform party regarding the government’s refugee resettlement scheme in Lancashire. Any changes to policy would require a decision by the cabinet.”
Imran Hussain, director of external affairs at the Refugee Council, commented: “Resettlement is a lifeline for many refugees, as we have seen with recent schemes for men, women and children from Ukraine, Afghanistan and Syria. We have a very proud tradition in the UK of giving people a safe journey out of countries devastated by war, helping them to rebuild their lives here through resettlement services around the country. We know from our decades of running such services that when refugees get the support they need, like English lessons and job search, they can go on to make a huge contribution to their communities and our prosperity. Research shows that this help to integrate refugees is backed by a majority of the British public.”
