Ellie Ames 26 October 2023

Homelessness fears over asylum fast-tracking

Homelessness fears over asylum fast-tracking image
Image: ML Robinson / Shutterstock.com

The largest city councils in England and Scotland fear that Government plans to speed up asylum decisions will result in thousands of people facing homelessness.

The Government’s ‘Streamlined Asylum Process’ will see applications processed for 1,000 asylum seekers in Birmingham and 2,500 in Glasgow by the end of the year.

Birmingham City Council said the ‘unprecedented’ rate of processed applications would see three years of decisions made in just a few months.

The increased rate will ‘without doubt’ lead to a rise in homelessness in Birmingham and across the UK, the council said.

Costs of supporting people with housing will fall on councils, with Glasgow estimating a £50m financial impact.

Glasgow City Council said it anticipated increased use of costly B&Bs and hotels as temporary accommodation.

This week, immigration minister Robert Jenrick confirmed plans to begin moving asylum seekers out of hotels.

Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken said the Home Office ‘thinks closing hotels will convince voters it is delivering on its ugly rhetoric about getting tough on asylum – when all it is actually doing is moving people around like chess pieces.'

She added: ‘Out of sight, out of mind is now the entirety of its asylum policy – even at the risk of a humanitarian crisis in towns and cities across the UK.’

A Home Office spokesperson said: ‘The pressure on the asylum system has continued to grow, which is why we have taken immediate action to speed up processing times and cut costs for taxpayers.

‘To minimise the risk of homelessness, we encourage individuals to make their onward plans as soon as possible after receiving their decision, whether that is leaving the UK following a refusal, or taking steps to integrate in the UK following a grant.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Head of Democratic Services, Elections & Monitoring Officer

Harborough District Council
Grade 12 £67,236 – £71,223 plus £3000pa Statutory Officer Allowance
We are looking for an accomplished and proactive leader for our vacant post of Head of Democratic Services & Elections Market Harborough, Leicestershire
Recuriter: Harborough District Council

Residential Youth Practitioner

Oxfordshire County Council
£37035 - £39513
The Move On Service provides intensive supported housing accommodation for young people aged 16 to 18 years who are in the care of the local authority, working to create individual plans for those requiring additional support for their transition towards Witney
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Locality and Community Support Worker - North

Oxfordshire County Council
£37035 - £39513
The Locality & Community Support Service in North Oxfordshire are seeking to recruit a Locality Support Worker to join their Locality & Community Support Team. The successful candidate will be an enthusiastic worker who is passionate about improving outc Banbury
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
£35,412 - £39,152 (pre-progression) / £40,777 - £45,091 (post-progression)
We are looking for social workers who have completed the assessed and supported year in employment to join our Families First teams, working with our Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £35,412 - £39,152 (Pre-Progression) / Grade 11 £40,777 - £45,091 (Post-Progression)
Are you a nurturing social worker passionate about supporting parents so that children can remain with their birth family?     This could be the right Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner