AS councils across the region prepare to play their part in the Afghan resettlement scheme, many are calling for a for the refugees to distributed fairly.

As the UK aims to resettle up to 20,000 Afghan refugees, including those who aided the British Army, councils across the North East have welcomed the settlement scheme.

However, many in the North including Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham are calling for the refugees to be distributed fairly across the country. This has been echoed by many politicians across the North.

Analysis of Government data shows that northern England – including the North West, North East and Yorkshire and Humber – had taken in nearly half (42 per cent) of all the 44,825 asylum seekers in the UK.

Only 6.5 per cent have been placed in the south of England excluding London.

Many councils in the North East are looking to take on refugees including Middlesbrough council which has announced that it will be helping to house those fleeing Afghanistan.

Middlesbrough also helped house many Syrian migrants when they fled the civil war more than five years ago.

Mayor of Middlesbrough, Andy Preston said: “Middlesbrough will stand tall and help, welcoming innocent people who are being persecuted, terrorised, and abused.

“I don’t care where you come from – if you need help and you are willing to contribute to Middlesbrough then we will help you.

“This is especially true when it comes to Afghan people who have put their lives on the line by supporting British armed forces."

“In Middlesbrough we stand by our friends and allies – regardless of where they’re from.”

Andy McDonald, MP for Middlesbrough, said: “I am in no doubt whatsoever that Middlesbrough should continue with its long and proud history and warmly welcome Afghan refugees fleeing this crisis.

“I trust that our local Council will make it clear that we as a town are ready and very willing to do our bit in offering sanctuary to those who seek it.

“There are tens of thousands of Afghans fearful of their lives. They want to escape their country and the world should stand with them and the UK. The rest of the world should set up the mechanisms to afford sanctuary to all Afghan citizens in danger, who seek it.”

Middlesbrough already has the second highest number of asylum seekers per 10,000 population, only Glasgow had a higher number.

The North East as a whole has the highest amount of asylum seekers per 10,000 population at 16, with the North West close behind with 12 per 10,000.

North Yorkshire and the Humber has nine asylum seekers per 10,000 population.

On the other hand, the South East and South West both have one asylum seeker per 10,000 population.