Germany to spend up to 16 billion euros on refugees next year

Germany's federal states and municipalities could face costs of up to 16 billion euros (11.47 billion pound) next year to deal with the refugee crisis, the Association of German Cities said on Thursday.

Europe's richest country has become a favoured destination for people fleeing war, violence and poverty in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. It expects 800,000 to a million migrants to enter the country this year, twice as many as in any prior year.

Germany's states have long complained that they are struggling to cope with the record influx and have urged the federal government in Berlin to provide more help .... http://uk.reuters.com