The first group of Syrian refugees to be settled in the UK has arrived in the country.

Home Office confirmed that about 20,000 Syrians have already arrived in UK but refused to release more details of the exact number of arrivals or where they are being resettled.

As part of the vulnerable persons resettlement (VPR) scheme, London has agreed to accept a limited number of Syrian refugees within the coming years. This comes as they will not immediately be granted full asylum status, giving them a right to settle, but instead a humanitarian status that will allow them to apply for asylum at the end of five years.

Earlier, Prime Minister David Cameron announced that those who are to be brought to Britain are the most deserving of the 4 million displaced Syrians living in UN-registered refugee camps in Lebanon and Jordan.

UK has already refused to take part in the EU refugee-sharing scheme and has an opt out from having to take part.

The UN puts forward “candidates” on the basis of need but only British officials are empowered to make the final selection.

The vulnerable person relocation scheme was designed to give priority to those who are victims of sexual violence or torture or are too elderly or disabled to live in the camps.