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Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE The ultra woke remote Highlands towns that want more migrants to move in... despite fighting a housing crisis
Debates over the influx of migrants and refugees appearing in Britain's towns and villages continue to rage across the country. Large hotels, often in provincial towns, are being rented out to provide temporary accommodation for people from countries such as Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan looking for a fresh start. While locals around the migrant hotels have complained about anti-social behaviour and overrun public services, with claims they were given next to no notice by MPs and the government. Others say that the housing crisis will only worsen with Brits missing out on a chance to live in the area they have grown up. But while some want to close the borders entirely, towns in the Scottish Highlands are more than happy for more refugees to flock to their streets. Remote towns and villages across the vast mountainous region - which is the largest local authority area in the UK - have taken in hundreds of refugee families and unaccompanied children from Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine since 2016. And the influence of migration is clear to see from the likes of popular Syrian food trucks popping up on picturesque riversides and Turkish barbers on quaint high streets. And while there has been some low level backlash, Highlanders generally seem to be 'more welcoming than down South' - as one local put it. The region receives over six million tourists every year, but has a population of only 235,000 people, much of it aging. Though the positive reception of refugees is thought to be partly owed to a depopulation crisis and a desperate need for a boost in young people, many towns are in fact battling a severe housing shortage. A visit by MailOnline to the rural towns and villages hosting refugee families found most locals were keen to take on more despite facing a squeeze on resources themselves. The small town of Dingwall, just a half hour northwest of Inverness, is made up of just 5,500 people. In 2018, it took in seven refugee families from Syria, and while some have since migrated, many still reside in the rural location. On a Friday afternoon, hardly a soul could be spotted on the empty high street. One woman at Christian charity shop, Blythswood Charity Superstore, told MailOnline of the work the store has done to employ refugees. Joanne O'Brian, 62, said: 'We've employed refugees here, there are two Syrian refugees volunteering at our shop now. 'One of them is studying for a Civil Engineering degree. 'And we've had quite a few volunteering before as well. 'I think Scotland, and the Highlands specifically, is just more welcoming than maybe further down South. 'And here we want refugees to develop the skills to grow and create a life here. 'You don't want people to just be an add-on, you want to enable them so they are a part of society and contribute to society. 'The Highlands has more of an old-fashioned culture in the sense that it is quite welcoming. 'And there are certain places in the Highlands that has an aging population. So its nice when you have others come here, you embrace each other's cultures. 'The main problem here though is the lack of housing. 'The council needs to invest in more social housing. Flats are so hard to come by. 'I believe there is a housing project nearby but you have to remember council wheels do turn slowly.' Highlands Council's Housing and Property Committee recently discussed plans to seek 'council of sanctuary' status, an award which would have been the local authority recognised for going 'above and beyond' to welcome refugees. However, the plan - which would have cost the council £2,100 over three years - was halted in its tracks after councillors raised concerns it amounted to 'virtue signalling'. While the proposal did not pass, all councillors commended the work done to integrate refugees into Highlands society, and agreed the work should continue. Ms O'Brian added on the decision not to apply for sanctuary status: 'I don't think you need recognition to help out. 'The status is not necessary. We don't need a pat on the back. 'It's happening all the time and it's about being mindful to know if people need a hand and to help, whether they're British or Syrian or from any other background. 'We don't a status to show it. 'You just hope that the work you do filters through to others, cascades through and inspires young people to do the same.' Councillor Duncan McDonald, a former army major, instead proposed that the council continue to support refugees without the need to 'virtue-signal' or risk making locals feel 'alienated' and like they are pushed 'further down the pecking order'. He said: 'I would propose that we continue to support the refugees in the manner that we have done for years – quietly, meaningfully and respectfully.' The Highlands is so sparsely populated there are thought to be around nine people per sqm, similar to the population density of countries like Russia. Despite this, there is still a significant shortage of affordable homes, with many having to wait on registers for social housing. The council said last year that the area will be in need of an extra 24,000 houses over the next ten years to keep up with current and future demand. In Dingwall, 20 new homes were announced in November last year as being ready to welcome tenants as a social housing development came to completion. Around the corner from the Blythswood charity shop on Dingwall's High Street is a community cafe which is open to all and allows people to pay as they wish. Here, two woman running Sheila's Community Cafe, told of attitudes towards refugees in the town. Shona Street and Shona Maclaren said: 'We have many people come here who have come with either refugee status or just decided to migrate here. 'We try to welcome people, get to know people. If someone is struggling, we will never bill them. 'The Highlands has always been a welcoming place and people aren't awfully judgmental. And even if they don't agree with something, they wouldn't shun people for it. 'There's a refugee family that live close to me, and what I've seen is very positive. Everybody says hi to them and speaks to them, and I've not seen any kind of negativity. 'You do hear negativity out and about sometimes, if people read something somewhere. But we challenge people here. 'It's usually to do with council houses and benefits, but we challenge and discuss it. 'I guess you could say population has something to do with it. But then that's historical. All the young folk leave because there's nothing here.' The pair told of how the community had welcomed refugees: 'We always have a vegetarian option here, so if there's a religious reason or something that someone can't have meat, there's an alternative. 'We've got various groups that use our event space here, and we have a crafts group that come in on a Thursday. 'Some refugee women started coming and enjoyed it, so they restricted the group to women's only so that it was a safe space for them. 't's a bit disappointing that they didn't go ahead with applying for the sanctuary status. 'It says something doesn't it to have the status? 'It makes a statement about the Highlands.' About 10 miles northeast of Dingwall, just a quick drive up along the Cromarty Firth, is Alness, a town of less than 6,000 people. It is known to have a high level of deprivation, with locals saying there is a pressing social housing challenge. Between 2016 and 2020, they took in six refugee families from Syria. Peter Phelps, 66, and Thomas Grant, 70, who live in the area, said: 'We have no objections to refugees being housed here, everyone is quite welcoming of them. 'It must be strange for them you know, to come here and it be very different to where they are from. 'We've never heard anyone complain around here about them.' The one concern, however, that they and many other locals raised was the lack of housing for those 'born and bred' in the towns. They said: 'The only thing is we've not got the property for it. 'We need more homes. 'So many locals are looking for houses and can't get them. 'I think that's the only problem, people come in from other countries and they get houses straight away but locals can't get them. 'It's not about colour or anything like that. 'They just need to build more houses to house more people.' The Highlands is part of the UK's Afghan Resettlement programme which aims to take in Afghans who worked with or for the UK government and as such put their lives at risk. Historic army base Cameron Barracks was used to relocate these Afghan families beginning in 2021. Many Syrian and Afghan refugees have since enrolled on college courses, found jobs and taken up English-language classes after resettling in the Highlands. Many from Dingwall and Alness also travel to the 'capital' Inverness for work and college. Speaking to MailOnline at a newly-opened Afghan food truck along the River Ness in Inverness, an Afghan refugee who did not wish to be named said: 'We've been here for about four years now. 'Everyone has been very friendly, the people have been good here, I like it. 'I was 18 when we moved here. My husband was working but I was finishing school. 'When we moved here my son was only 10 months old. He is in nursery now. 'The council and people are nice here and gave good support, like English classes, college, like making hobbies for us, especially for women. 'They offered a lot of support to the refugees, especially the women. 'We opened this [food truck] three days ago. My husband sometimes work here but he is at college. He is studying mechanics.' Meanwhile, Ibrahim Al Hasan, who was part of the first five Syrian refugee families to arrive in the Highlands, spoke to MailOnline about his experience. The father-of-four said: 'I moved here from Syria in 2016. I have four kids, when we came here the youngest was little age, just seven months. 'First when I came here all I thought was it is a safe place. 'Then I looked for a job. For about two or three years I struggled because I don't speak English then. 'I worked at a charity shop for about five years before starting taxi. I've done this for three years. 'Now I have been here about nine years. Here is okay, I am happy for the safety and for my kids. 'And for the work I have I am so happy.' Speaking of how and his family adjusted when they arrived, he said: 'I had no idea how I would come and actually struggle for language, for culture, for food, everything. Especially since I was part of the first group to come here. 'After me, after one year other Syrian people came here and it was bit easier for them. 'But when I came I didn't know anything. 'The council supported us and the local mosque. If we needed anything, they always help, not just me, for everyone. 'It was hard to find like halal food and things. The council woman would drive us and help us. 'The locals are friendly, not too much contact, but they say hi. 'I like it here more than to go to London or Glasgow. Here I don't need to worry. 'With big cities, there's more problems. My friend in Glasgow, he's struggling with the kids. 'Here you have more option, the kids can go outside to play. In Dingwall, my kids are always out. Every morning and evening friends are knocking on the door. 'My kids speak English very well now. My daughter is in Primary 4, they say she speaks very well, her writing is perfect, for spelling and everything.' A trustee at the local mosque in Inverness, where many refugees from Syria and Afghanistan attend for prayers, told of how 'credit goes to Highland Council' for supporting refugees. He said: 'If you try and bring refugees into a very crowded city, the problems that affect that city sometimes harms them. 'It was organised better here. 'There was less pressure, less public outcry, and they did it so the local community were involved and almost like mentors or buddies to the refugees. 'The housing is a problem everywhere, there's no exception here. 'But Highland Council did a lot to support the refugees, integrating children and families into the community is a difficult thing to do.' 19-year-old Khalid Khan told MailOnline of how he fled Afghanistan 'by foot' when he was 15 and was settled in Inverness. He said: 'I didn't fly here. I walked from Kabul, through Iran, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, France. I was in France for about one year then I came to London. 'In London there was a big camp, I was there two months then they changed me to another camp, then to here. 'Inverness is beautiful. I love the weather. I can't believe the weather here. Sometimes really cold, sometimes really nice.' Khalid, whose family are still in Afghanistan told of how he has felt welcomed into Highlands society: 'I like it here. The people are really nice, I love them. 'The people are kind, they speak to you. It's really nice. 'I have a social worker that takes care of me. There are a lot of people from different countries and everyone is supported. 'Here, the locals are always coming to see me, asking "are you okay, do you need anything?" 'I applied for college last year, they didn't accept me, so I applied for this year and they've accepted me. I'm going to study Computer Science. 'They really helped me with English when I came here. 'My family are all in Afghanistan, I have two younger brothers. 'I do miss them. I miss Afghanistan. I love my country but now it is under the control of the Taliban. Now I don't know what has happened to my country.' Meanwhile, though the majority of those MailOnline spoke with were positive about the Highlands as a safe haven for refugees, some felt it had gone too far. Diane Jeffrey, 66, who works at Alan's Taxis on Alness High Street, said: 'This is why you get people asking well what about the locals struggling for housing? 'Over the last few years you've had people coming in, they set up businesses here, and it's just taken over. 'I just think you've got to look after your own before you let others into the country. 'The council is giving them money, everything, even driving courses. But locals don't have that. 'To then get the status as well is not needed.' Her thoughts were echoed by Donnie Beaton, who also resides in Alness. He said: 'I've never seen so much misuse of money. Put it in the people who are from the local area. 'I'm not racist in any manner and I don't disagree with people coming here if they are putting back into society. 'But they're not. They don't care about the local people. 'And we've got no say in it. 'And there's no housing for being born here. People are waiting so long for housing but they are given it straightaway.' Councillor Glynis Campbell Sinclair, who is Provost of Inverness, told MailOnline about how she was proud of the work the council staff had done to integrate refugees into Highlands society. She told argued she believed the motion to apply for 'sanctuary status' would have been a way to 'acknowledge' the work that had been done. The Housing and Property Committee chair said: 'The team have been working with refugees for over a decade. 'I am really proud of the work they have done. Not a lot of people know of the amount of work the Highlands have done for refugees. 'And sometimes it's really nice to acknowledge in a formal way your appreciation for the work that they are doing, and applying for the City of Sanctuary award for me was an apt thing to do. 'I was disappointed that several members of the committee felt that they couldn't do that. 'I'm disappointed for the staff because I think that any kind of award is an acknowledgement for the work they do. 'It's perception as well. Applying for the sanctuary award sends out a message, it's basically saying to the UK and beyond, this is the sort of place the Highlands is, this is how we support vulnerable people who fled conflict. 'It should have gone through with a nod.' The proposal was beaten by nine votes to seven in a committee meeting last Wednesday. In the committee meeting, Cllr Mr McDonald, said of his experience with army-employed Afghan civilians: 'I went to the front gate in Kabul with my team with full body armour on to bring these people into the camp — I know how scared they were. 'So I understand wholeheartedly what these people go through, what they went through, and what they are suffering now. 'I would propose that we continue to support the refugees in the manner that we have done for years — quietly, meaningfully and respectfully. 'Can we achieve the same result by working alongside the scheme without signing up? 'We do not need to virtue-signal our support. 'We certainly do not want our citizens to perceive that they are being alienated and pushed further down the pecking order.' Late last year, the Scottish Human Rights Commission warned that the Highlands had a serious shortage of affordable housing in rural areas. There was said to be a significant number of people who are homeless, and the lack of affordable housing, including social housing, was said to be a factor in young people not moving back to the Highlands after leaving for further education. Cllr Sinclair told MailOnline of how despite there being low population density across the Highlands, a lack of housing and infrastructure for jobs and education was a key challenge in keeping young people in the area. She said: 'The problem we've had for generations is that young people go to school, but then 17, 18, they probably travel far afield to Glasgow, Edinburgh, the big cities, for further education. That's been happening for generations. 'But there's a new university in Inverness so a lot more younger people are staying at home and doing their degrees here. 'The problem we do have here in the Highlands is that there is a housing challenge, every year the Highlands have got a long waiting list because we just don't have enough houses. 'And that is contributing to the depopulation challenge.' Speaking of the council's work to house refugees, she added: 'The Highland Council has a strong track record in supporting refugees and displaced persons fleeing war in their own countries. 'The people who are now living across Highland are individuals and families supported because of national programmes which have determined they have a legal right to reside, work and claim statutory entitlements. 'The people of Highland have shown enormous empathy and compassion which has been of great comfort to the people beginning new lives here.'
CBC
2 days ago
- Business
- CBC
New funding coming to address public safety
New funding has been announced to address public safety for local businesses across B.C. As Johna Baylon reports, the money will go towards police initiatives, including projects in partnership with local communities.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Thousands respond to East West Rail public events
Nearly 6,000 people took part in a consultation exercise on the new East West Railway line that will ultimately link Oxford to Cambridge. There were events at 16 locations along the proposed route between November 2024 and January 2025. At the events, East West Rail presented information on work to upgrade the existing line between Oxford and Bedford, as well as the proposed new line between Bedford and Cambridge. It is the third non-statutory consultation that has been carried out, and will help inform the final design, which will be presented for consideration next year. The highest level of interest came from people who attended the events in Comberton, Great Shelford and Cambourne in Cambridgeshire. People largely saw the new route as good for the UK's economic development and felt it could drive up local property values, especially in areas like Bicester and Cambourne. They also felt it could address housing shortages, with more development near the new stations in Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire. There was concern about the demolition of homes, disruption and negative impacts on businesses and house prices during a prolonged construction phase, as well as the visual impact of the line. There were questions too about some station designs, changes to major roads and bridges in Bedford and Bicester, and the environmental impact of a viaduct over the River Great Ouse floodplain. East West Rail said its technical team would now be going through the comments in detail to see if there were any refinements that could be made to the designs. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. What is happening with East West Rail? 'We have to take risks to build major railway' Operator named for first part of East West Rail New station built with 'East West Rail in mind' East West Rail
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
East West Rail public events see thousands share thoughts
Nearly 6,000 people took part in a consultation exercise on the new East West Railway line that will ultimately link Oxford to Cambridge. There were events at 16 locations along the proposed route between November 2024 and January 2025. At the events, East West Rail presented information on work to upgrade the existing line between Oxford and Bedford, as well as the proposed new line between Bedford and is the third non-statutory consultation that has been carried out, and will help inform the final design, which will be presented for consideration next year. The highest level of interest came from people who attended the events in Comberton, Great Shelford and Cambourne in Cambridgeshire. People largely saw the new route as good for the UK's economic development and felt it could drive up local property values, especially in areas like Bicester and Cambourne. They also felt it could address housing shortages, with more development near the new stations in Bedfordshire and was concern about the demolition of homes, disruption and negative impacts on businesses and house prices during a prolonged construction phase, as well as the visual impact of the were questions too about some station designs, changes to major roads and bridges in Bedford and Bicester, and the environmental impact of a viaduct over the River Great Ouse West Rail said its technical team would now be going through the comments in detail to see if there were any refinements that could be made to the designs. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
National Post
3 days ago
- Business
- National Post
Pan American Silver Releases 2024 Sustainability Report
Article content VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Pan American Silver Corp. (NYSE: PAAS) (TSX: PAAS) ('Pan American' or the 'Company') today released its 2024 Sustainability Report (the 'Report'), outlining Pan American's approach and performance in environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters. Spanish and Portuguese versions of the Report will be available shortly. Article content Article content Highlights of Pan American's 2024 ESG performance include: Article content Reduced water use by over 220,000 m 3 compared to the 2024 base case 1. Completed the installation of a new filter tailings storage facility at the Huaron mine in Peru. Surpassed the annual greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) reduction target, which keeps the Company on track to reduce its global Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by at least 30% by 2030 2. Contributed US$20.3 million to local communities, including the launch of three new economic development programs. Health and education programs are also a focus of the Company's community investments. Women accounted for 23% of hires in approved and budgeted vacant positions. Evaluated 264 suppliers through the new supplier due diligence platform. Article content The Report outlines Pan American's 2025 ESG performance goals and has been prepared in alignment with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards and the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) Metals & Mining Sustainability Accounting Standard. The Report also contains information that considers the recommendations of the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). Article content This Report marks the 15 th annual Sustainability Report published by Pan American. For more information on Pan American's sustainability efforts and to access all reports, visit Article content Pan American also reported today its progress toward conformance with the World Gold Council's Responsible Gold Mining Principles (RGMP). These principles establish clear expectations for consumers, investors and the downstream gold supply chain regarding responsible gold mining. Article content Pan American's ESG performance in 2024 was recognized by S&P Global, placing the Company in the top 7% of the Metals & Mining industry. Additionally, Pan American was included in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2025, which distinguishes companies demonstrating strong commitments to responsible mining, environmental stewardship, and transparent reporting. The Company's ESG performance improvements were also acknowledged by MSCI Inc., which upgraded Pan American's score from BBB to A. Article content Pan American is a leading producer of silver and gold in the Americas, operating mines in Canada, Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina. We also own the Escobal mine in Guatemala that is currently not operating, and we hold interests in exploration and development projects. We have been operating in the Americas for over three decades, earning an industry-leading reputation for sustainability performance, operational excellence and prudent financial management. We are headquartered in Vancouver, B.C. and our shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol 'PAAS'. Learn more at Article content Certain of the statements and information in this news release constitute 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and 'forward-looking information' within the meaning of applicable Canadian provincial securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements or information in this news release relate to, among other things: the anticipated reduction of the Company's global Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by at least 30% by 2030. Article content These forward-looking statements and information reflect the current views of Pan American with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Pan American, are inherently subject to significant operational, business, economic and regulatory uncertainties and contingencies, and such uncertainty generally increases with longer-term forecasts and outlook. These assumptions include: Pan American's ability to continue to achieve its GHG emissions reduction objectives, and the timing for any such achievements; future changes in the environment and climate that may be unanticipated and the impacts on our business, availability of funds for Pan American's projects and future cash requirements; prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services (including transportation); no labour-related disruptions at any of our operations; all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals for our operations are received in a timely manner; our ability to secure and maintain title and ownership to properties and the surface rights necessary for our operations and activities; and our ability to comply with environmental, health and safety, and other laws. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive. Article content Forward-looking statements and information involve many known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results or performance to be materially different from the results or performance that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information, including, but not limited to, factors, such as: metal price fluctuations, fluctuation in the costs of energy, labour, materials and other inputs, fluctuations in currency markets and exchange rates, operational risks and hazards inherent with the business of mining (including environmental accidents and hazards, industrial accidents, and severe weather events); risks relating to the credit worthiness, financial condition or business practices of suppliers, refiners and other parties with whom Pan American does business; inadequate insurance, or inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks and hazards; our ability to obtain all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in a timely manner; changes in laws, regulations and government practices, as well as other legal or economic developments, in the jurisdictions where we may carry on business; and those factors identified under the heading 'Risks Related to Our Business' in Pan American's most recent Form 40-F and Annual Information Form filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and with Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities, respectively. Pan American has attempted to identify important factors, but there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, intended or described. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty or reliance on forward-looking statements and information. Pan American does not intend, nor assume, any obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements and information except to the extent required by applicable law. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content For more information contact: Article content Brent Bergeron Senior VP, Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Ph: 604-684-1175 Email: ir@ Article content Article content
