Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme and UK Resettlement Scheme

In the autumn of 2015, we pledged to welcome 550 Syrian refugees to Birmingham.

This was part of the government’s national commitment to welcome 20,000 refugees by 2020. To date, we have welcomed 516 Syrian refugees to Birmingham.

The UK Resettlement Scheme followed on from the Syrian Scheme in March 2021, under which we pledged to welcome 110 refugees in one year.

Refugees included in this scheme are vulnerable for a range of reasons.

Many experienced torture or were exposed to family deaths, resulting in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other serious mental health conditions.

In addition, a number of refugees have physical health conditions or disabilities affecting mobility.

Recognising the time families need to resettle and integrate, the support provided through the scheme lasts for five years from the date of arrival.

Funded support ended in December 2025. Syrian refugees can now access mainstream support as is available to all Birmingham residents.

Page last updated: 11 March 2026