Posted: Wed 22nd Sep 2021

Rumours that ‘hundreds of refugees’ are arriving in Llandudno dismissed as ‘scaremongering’

North Wales news and information
This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Sep 22nd, 2021

Rumours that “hundreds of refugees” are arriving in Llandudno have been dismissed as “scaremongering” by a local MP.

Aberconwy MP Robin Millar has responded to hearsay on social media which appears to relate to the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy.

Conwy County Borough Council has so far resettled one family fleeing Afghanistan in the wake of the Taliban’s takeover.

Calls have been made for councils to help more refugees, the majority of whom worked as interpreters and administrative staff for British and US forces, along with their families.

However, Conwy has yet to make a further commitment after expressing concerns over the “demand and supply” of accommodation.

Although Mr Millar said he expected his constituency to play its part in the scheme, the Conservative MP questioned its suitability to house larger numbers of refugees.

In a posted shared on Facebook, he said: “Just a quick comment on rumours that “hundreds of refugees” are coming to Llandudno.

“I have spoken to the council today and been told this is not true.

“Policies are informed by speaking to refugees and they are clear: they prefer to be placed near existing, established communities in the UK.

“They want to settle down and build new lives. This means going to places which offer a wide range of jobs and the support services they’ll need to help them play their part in society.

“The simple truth is there are many areas better placed than a rural area like Aberconwy to fit this.

“I expect we’ll do our bit and that the council will give careful consideration to what can be done with stretched services here.

“It is in the British and Welsh psyche to be welcoming and hospitable to strangers. It is one of the reasons people want to come here.

“But remember – if you see something on social media and it isn’t an official channel, doesn’t have a reference you can check (a friend doesn’t count!), then there’s a good chance that it is just wishful thinking or mischief making.

“There is no place – and this is no time – for malicious rumours or scare mongering.”



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