Exeter pledges support for refugees and asylum seekers

Exeter City Council said today (Friday 4 September) that in light of recent events throughout Europe, it was keen to work with the Home Office and other councils throughout the south west to support refugees and people seeking asylum.

Council Leader Pete Edwards said: “We are very keen to move this forward and started talking to the Home Office and the South West Migration Partnership about this in June.

It is really important that the South West plays its part in supporting those that are caught up in this desperate situation and here in Exeter, we want to work with our colleagues in the public sector as well as the community and voluntary sector to make sure that any new arrivals are welcomed and supported.”

Earlier in the year the City Council was approached by the Home Office to become one of a number of Dispersal Zones for asylum seekers in the South West.

The City Council is committed to working with the Home Office and other councils in the South West as part of the national Dispersal framework.