Lewisham Council has hit out at ‘draconian’ new immigration rules that make sleeping rough a legal ground to cancel or refuse permission to stay in the UK.
The council said it will not collaborate with the Home Office in enforcing the new rules as they will undermine the borough’s efforts to tackle rough sleeping.
A statement from cllr Paul Bell, the council’s cabinet member for housing and planning and cllr Kevin Bonavia, cabinet member for democracy, refugees and accountability said: ‘The Government’s decision to make rough sleeping a legal ground to cancel or refuse permission to stay in the UK represents a cruel attack on the most vulnerable in our society.
’As we enter into the coldest months of the year, these new rules risk deterring rough sleepers from seeking the help they need and threaten to put lives at risk.
’Lewisham Council will not collaborate with the Home Office in enforcing these draconian measures.’
The council added it was supporting the Greater London Authority in lobbying the Government to immediately reverse these rules.
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