Martin Ford 08 April 2021

£31m Hong Kong integration fund launched

£31m Hong Kong integration fund launched image

Funding of £30.7m will be provided to councils to support new arrivals from Hong Kong.

The Government has launched an integration programme for Hong Kong citizens following the introduction of a new visa enabling them to live in the UK for up to five years and apply for permanent residency.

The visa came into force in January, having been announced last year as a response to China’s imposition of stringent new security laws in the former British overseas territory.

The programme is designed to help people access housing, work and educational support and ‘quickly integrate and contribute to their newfound communities’, according to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

So far, 27,000 people have applied for a visa since January and the Government estimates between 123,000 and 153,000 and their dependents will come to the country in the first year.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said: ‘This programme will ensure British National (Overseas) status holders and their families have the very best start as soon as they arrive, and support to help them find a home, schools for their children, opportunity and prosperity.

‘We are a champion of freedom and democracy and will live up to our responsibilities to the people of Hong Kong, so that these families will come to find the UK a place they can call home.’

The £30.7m fund for councils in England will cover targeted support for new arrivals, including learning English housing costs for those who need it.

Another £5.8m will be provided to devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Twelve ‘virtual welcome hubs’ have also been established around the UK, which will work with local authorities where face-to-face contact is required.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Director of Public Health

Royal Borough of Greenwich
Up to £131,210
The Public Health department is at the heart of the council’s business. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Head of Regeneration and Growth

Plymouth City Council
£68,387 - £74,411 (MFS and relocation available, pay award pending)
This is a unique opportunity to lead our award-winning development team and directly deliver hundreds of millions of pounds of projects. Plymouth, Devon
Recuriter: Plymouth City Council

Director of Adult Social Care

Wiltshire Council
£119,390 - £127,137
Join us as the Director of Adult Social Care and make a real difference to people’s lives. Wiltshire
Recuriter: Wiltshire Council

Assistant Director Planning, Performance & Engagement

East Sussex County Council
up to £97,700
With strong local communities, unspoilt countryside and vibrant coastal towns, East Sussex offers an exceptional quality of life to many. East Sussex
Recuriter: East Sussex County Council

Director of Finance & Commerce

Lancashire County Council
Up to £114,339
You will play a critical role in driving the organisation through complex change and innovation. Lancashire
Recuriter: Lancashire County Council
Linkedin Banner