Ellie Ames 12 October 2023

Crawley issues bankruptcy warning over Chagossians funding

Crawley issues bankruptcy warning over Chagossians funding  image
Image: Tea and Biscuit Photos / Shutterstock.com.

Crawley faces a funding crisis following the decision to grant British citizenship to people of Chagossian descent, the borough council’s leader has again warned.

In his third letter to the Government since the citizenship route was opened in November 2022, Councillor Michael Jones has repeated a call for New Burdens Funding to cover the ‘huge cost implications’ of the decision.

Britain forcibly evicted people from the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean in the 1960s and 1970s so the United States could build a military base.

Many of those exiled were resettled in Crawley, which is now home to around 3,000 Chagossians – the largest community in the UK.

Crawley BC said it was pleased that the policy went ‘some way towards addressing historical wrongs’ but issued ‘grave concerns’ about housing costs and the implications on public services if more people chose to settle within the town’s established community.

The authority warned that a requirement to provide additional housing could result in it having to issue a Section 114 notice.

In the letter, sent to the foreign office, home office and Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), Cllr Jones said: ‘I do not wish to leave you in any doubt over the level of concern this causes me, and I must urge immediate action from you.’

A DLUHC spokesperson said: ‘We continue to work closely with Crawley Borough Council to prepare for potential arrivals into the area and will update further in due course.’

If this article was of interest, then check out our features, 'Preventing future Section 114 notices'.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Chief Executive

Ebbsfleet Development Corporation
up to £165,000
Ebbsfleet is one of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration projects, a 21st-century Garden City Ebbsfleet, Kent
Recuriter: Ebbsfleet Development Corporation

Temporary Accommodation Officer

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£38,976 - £47,229 per annum
As with many other Boroughs in the capital, tackling homelessness is a high priority. The Temporary Accommodation Procurement Officer will be required to source new business to increase the supply of properties based on the demand by building relationship 90 Putney Bridge Road, Twickenham
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Partnership Co-ordinator - Voluntary & Community

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£43,545 - £52,767
Partnership Co-ordinator - Voluntary & ... Wandsworth, London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Planning Support Officer

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Up to £34359 per annum
Keep our planning service running smoothly, supporting the team that shapes the future of our borough.As a Planning Support Officer, you'll play a vit England, London, City of London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Change Communications Lead

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
£42,839-£48,226
Having come out of government intervention after two years in 2024 Sandwell, West Midlands
Recuriter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Linkedin Banner