Officials in the four big Dutch cities are threatening to tear up the deal made with ministers on providing homes for refugees unless the government comes up with more cash.

Eight aldermen in Amsterdam, Utrecht, The Hague and Rotterdam have written to finance minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem and home affairs minister Ronald Plasterk calling for hundreds of millions of euros in additional funding. The letter is also published in the Volkskrant.

Last year, the four cities agreed to find homes for 7,800 refugees with residency permits. However, they say the cost of accommodation, schooling, finding jobs and integrating the newcomers into Dutch society will be far more than the original budget.

‘We cannot cooperate in accommodating new citizens if we do not have the means to ensure they have a fair chance of an independent life and participation in their new home,’ the letter states.

‘Councils know from experience how important it is to help refugees find jobs, schools and social contacts as soon as they are settled.’

Some 15,000 refugees are waiting to be rehoused outside refugee centres because they have been given residency permits.

Local and national government officials are due to meet to discuss the funding issues again on April 28.