Abstract
Newcastle upon Tyne, a post-industrial city in the North East of England, has long been committed to hosting refugees. Although the city has suffered drastic cuts in government funding and faces high levels of deprivation, Newcastle declared itself a city of sanctuary and participates in several dispersal schemes for asylum seekers and refugees. This paper shows how political support as well as the self-motivating ambition to be a city of sanctuary are driving forces behind the city’s commitment to hosting refugees. This study then proceeds to explore the integration experiences of refugees in Newcastle, with a focus on housing, employment and the relations between refugees and local residents. While an overall positive picture emerges across these areas, language barriers, the refusal to accept refugees’ previous qualifications and experiences of racism remain major obstacles to integration. Moreover, the gulf in funding and support between resettled refugees and former asylum seekers greatly aggravates the latter’s access to housing and employment and contributes to a lower feeling of safety among this group.
Highlights
This paper explores the integration process of refugees in Newcastle upon Tyne (Newcastle), a post-industrial city in the North East of England
Newcastle participates in the Vulnerable Person Resettlement Scheme (VPRS), which predominantly focuses on Syrian refugees and, in 2014, Newcastle City Council (NCC) passed a motion in favour of becoming an official City of Sanctuary
The city has remained committed to hosting refugees by taking part in the asylum dispersal scheme as well as the VPRS
Summary
This paper explores the integration process of refugees in Newcastle upon Tyne (Newcastle), a post-industrial city in the North East of England. Newcastle participates in the Vulnerable Person Resettlement Scheme (VPRS), which predominantly focuses on Syrian refugees and, in 2014, NCC passed a motion in favour of becoming an official City of Sanctuary. Against this background of welcome and economic deprivation, this research will explore how refugees have adapted to the city, especially with regards to employment and housing. Language skills, age, and experiences of racism will be identified as key factors that either obstruct or facilitate refugees’ integration experience It will further be shown how the gulf in support between resettled refugees and former asylum seekers impacts negatively on the latter’s integration process. The latter section will offer a few explanations for NCC’s commitment to hosting refugees
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