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Migrant crisis: Stafford councils say Syrian refugees have not taken 'priority' homes

Council bosses have housed Syrian refugees in Stafford despite having a waiting list of more than 1,000 people.

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Latest figures show the waiting list for housing in Stafford is around 1,300, with 643 people having been in the queue for more than two years.

Stafford Borough Council's community boss Councillor Jeremy Pert revealed the first refugees had come to the town earlier this week.

But he declined to say whether the two Syrian families have been placed in private or social accommodation. He said only that it is more than enough to meet the families' needs.

He added that the two families had not taken housing off anyone in 'priority need'.

Someone in 'priority need' has children living with them, are pregnant, aged 16 or 17 and not eligible for housing from social services, a care leaver aged 18 to 21 or someone who has been left homeless by fire, flood or other disaster.

Bosses at Staffordshire County Council, which has arranged for the arrival of the Syrian refugees as part of a UK-wide government programme, were also tight-lipped about the two families' accommodation.

However, the county council says central government will be footing every penny.

West Midlands MEP Jill Seymour questioned how someone would feel if they were waiting for accommodation and were looked over in favour of someone from abroad, but added that both people locally and from abroad should be helped equally.

She said: "How would you feel if you were a family living in one bedroom and a family from abroad took a property that was suitable for you? I don't know.

"But I know wherever we can help people we must, we have to make a balance also. If somebody was out on the street with their family would you let them jump the queue? It's all about circumstances."

"I'm very much for caring about everything and everyone."

The two families taken in are part of a pledge to take in 50 overall. It is part of Prime Minister David Cameron's plan to provide refuge for 20,000 'vulnerable' people during the course of this parliament. Called the Vulnerable Person Relocation scheme, the first 1,000 refugees arrived in the UK last December.

According to figures released by the Home Office, the cost of housing refugees varies depending on age and if benefits will have to be paid out.

For an adult claiming benefits, the cost will be £23,420 for the first year, dropping to £10,720 for adults in work.

Stafford MP Jeremy Lefroy has called on the town to welcome the newcomers.

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