Sign in Subscribe
Refugees

Reform UK Leaders Demand Transparency and Consultation on Asylum Housing

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Reform UK leaders, in a letter to the Home Secretary, expressed concerns over the lack of transparency and consultation with local authorities regarding the use of properties in their areas to house asylum seekers. The letter, signed by 11 council leaders, including North Northants Council leader Martin Griffiths and West Northants Council leader Mark Arnull, states that residents are worried about living in close proximity to properties procured by the Home Office for asylum seekers. The council leaders are asking to be genuinely consulted in advance of any plans to utilize properties in their areas and demanding transparency from the Home Office.

Key Takeaways:

  • 11 Reform UK council leaders signed a letter to the Home Secretary expressing concerns over the lack of transparency and consultation.
  • The letter highlights that residents are worried about living in close proximity to properties procured by the Home Office for asylum seekers.
  • The council leaders are asking to be genuinely consulted in advance of any plans to utilize properties in their areas.
  • The letter states that the current timescales to be notified about Home Office properties going "live" are too short.
  • The Home Office has confirmed that asylum seekers will be moved out of two hotels in Kettering and Rothwell.
  • The minister Lord David Hanson stated that the number of asylum hotels in use is around half the peak reached under the previous government.
  • The government's long-term ambition is to leave a lasting legacy of housing for local communities and reduce pressure on local housing markets.

Statistics:

  • 11 council leaders signed the letter to the Home Secretary.
  • Asylum seekers were housed in Kettering's Royal Hotel since November 20, 2022.
  • Asylum seekers were moved out of the Royal Hotel on September 30, 2023.
  • The number of asylum hotels in use is around half the peak reached under the previous government.
  • The Home Office administers the housing of around 24,000 people in hotels and around 10,000 in purpose-built accommodation (Source: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/sep/30/revealed-government-uses-hotels-to-house-asylum-seekers-in-england).

Sources:

  • https://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/news/people/kettering-hotel-asylum-seekers-relocated-from-royal-hotel-helped-by-police-4357260
  • https://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/news/people/home-office-confirms-asylum-seekers-will-be-moved-out-of-rothwell-house-hotel-4385737

Read more