The Government recently announced its plans to give the Mayor new powers on skills, housing and health inequality.
In July 2006, it was announced that the Mayor will play a lead role on the integration of refugees into the mainstream life in London. Following an agreement with the Home Office, the Mayor will now head up the newly established Board of Refugee Integration in London (BRIL). The Mayor’s role will be to lead on the additional strategic challenge of taking forward the Home Office’s plan for integrating refugees.
It is estimated that the number of refugees living in London is around 250,000. It is also acknowledged that refugees experience some of the worst deprivation and social exclusion.
BRIL will build on current integration work being done in London between the community, voluntary and statutory sectors who are looking at employment, health, housing and education.
This new body brings together key London decision-makers representing the statutory, community and voluntary sectors, including the Home Office, the Refugee Council and two member delegates of the Mayor’s Refugee Advisory Panel.
BRIL’s first task will be to develop a citywide strategy. This strategy will consider how the different agencies and communities can work together. They will also focus on the following 5 key areas:
This strategy will be published in late 2007 and BNRRN will inform members of its content and how it will be implemented.
