Driving lessons help aids refugees' integration, says council leader

COUNCILLOR BRANDS AUTHORITY'S SPEND AS 'GROSSLY UNFAIR'

- By IVAN MORRIS POXTON

NORTH East Lincolnshire Council's leader has defended driving lessons support for refugees as helping them integrate and get employed, including lone parent mothers, following criticism from a Reform UK councillor.

He also confirmed council spend on driving lessons for asylum seekers and Ukrainian refugees is Government-granted cash, with restrictions on how it can be spent.

Council leader Cllr Philip Jackson (Conservative Waltham Ward) responded to criticism by Reform UK Cllr Oliver Freeston (Croft Baker Ward) of council spend on driving lessons in 2024/25.

This included £3,135 for unaccompanied child migrant asylum seekers, £4,185 for Ukrainians, and £9,112 for care leavers' allowance.

Cllr Oliver Freeston contacted Grimsby Live after learning of the spend. He criticised the council spend on driving lessons for asylum seekers and Ukrainian refugees, arguing it is "grossly unfair".

"I think there will be a strong sentiment across the council area, that it's totally unfair," he said.

"I don't think we should be providing anybody free driving lessons and certainly not unaccompanied asylum seeker children."