Reform Lancashire Welcomes Decision to End County Council Role in Refugee Resettlement

Reform Lancashire Welcomes Decision to End County Council Role in Refugee Resettlement

Reform-led Lancashire County Council has voted to end its voluntary role in administering the Government’s refugee resettlement schemes, allowing the council to refocus its resources on Lancashire residents and frontline services.

The council has chosen Option 1, notifying the Home Office that it will cease administration of the current schemes no later than 31 March 2027.

This provides time for the Home Office to put alternative arrangements in place and ensures a safe, managed transition for families currently supported under the schemes.

The figures show the scale of the schemes. As of 31 March 2026, 745 individuals were being supported, with 1,250 people supported in total since 2016.

Around 350 properties across Lancashire have been used by people on the schemes. The vast majority have been provided by private landlords, with approximately 180 properties still in use as of 31 March 2026.

Crucially, Lancashire County Council is not the housing authority. Housing responsibilities sit with Lancashire’s district and unitary councils. The county council’s role has been to coordinate and administer these Government schemes.

There is also no statutory duty requiring Lancashire County Council to act as the coordinating or accountable body.

Reform Lancashire believes it is therefore right to end this voluntary role, particularly as the schemes are being wound down nationally and Local Government Reorganisation approaches.

Councillor Joshua Roberts, Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Environment and Communities, said:

^{“Lancashire families are waiting for homes, council services are under pressure and taxpayers expect us to focus on what the county council is actually responsible for.}

^{“The local authority’s open data shows 41,954 households are currently on housing waiting lists across Lancashire’s district and unitary councils. That is a huge number of local people waiting for housing, and we must make sure council resources are focused where they are needed most.}

^{“This is not about abandoning anyone. It is about putting responsibility where it belongs. The Home Office should provide alternative arrangements, while housing remains the responsibility of the district and unitary councils.}

^{“Our priority is Lancashire residents, protecting frontline services, supporting vulnerable people and veterans, and delivering better value for taxpayers. This is a common-sense decision that allows the county council to get back to doing what it is actually there to do.”}

The decision does not prevent refugees from living in Lancashire and does not remove the council’s statutory duty to provide services to all residents.