A lack of cultural ties in Craven has prevented none of the 175 refugees who arrived in North Yorkshire via a government scheme from settling in the area.
A lack of cultural connections in Craven has led to none of the 175 refugees who arrived in North Yorkshire through a government initiative settling in the area. The United Kingdom Resettlement Scheme (UKRS), established to offer a “safe and legal” pathway for refugees from war-torn regions to enter the UK, primarily welcomes individuals from Syria but also includes refugees from Iraq, Sudan, and South Sudan. However, it does not cover those from Ukraine, Hong Kong, or Afghans who served with the British Army. Unlike Craven, other districts in North Yorkshire, such as Hambleton, Selby, and Scarborough, have each welcomed between 17 and 57 refugees since 2021.
North Yorkshire Council’s assistant chief executive for local engagement, Rachel Joyce, said the authority focuses on providing “the most appropriate accommodation for them” once they arrive rather than spreading people evenly across the county.
Angie Pedley from Craven District of Sanctuary, which supports refugees in the area, said the council prefers to place refugees near places where people speak the same language as them, such as in Harrogate.
She said Syrian families that initially came to Skipton have now moved on.
Ms Pedley said: “The council prefers to settle people into hubs. They feel, and I can see that people are happier if others speak the same language. In Harrogate, they are building their mosque, and they have events together and are in touch with one another.”
Ms Pedley highlighted the high accommodation costs in Skipton and Settle and a shortage of social housing. Despite these challenges, several Afghan families have successfully relocated to Craven, including one family that recently started hosting pop-up restaurant evenings in Embsay featuring Afghan cuisine. Additionally, several Ukrainian families have arrived in Craven since the onset of the war with Russia, though many have since moved to neighboring areas where rental housing is more affordable.
She added: “A fair number of Ukrainians have been welcomed to Craven, including to Settle and remote villages. Once they found their feet, most who wanted to rent independently went across to East Lancashire where rents are cheaper, like in Colne, Burnley and Barnoldswick.”