An asylum-seeking family has described their distress and a desire to leave a newbuild home in the Shropshire village of Stoke Heath, where 21 properties have been allocated to approximately 83 asylum seekers. Muhammad Nadeem, his wife Shamaila, and their four children moved to the sparsely furnished four-bedroom house two weeks ago, relocating from Stockport, Greater Manchester.
The family arrived in the UK two years ago, initially renting in Stockport where Mr. Nadeem obtained a work visa and employment as an Uber driver. After his visa expired, they applied for asylum and had to reside in a hotel during the processing of their application. The move to Stoke Heath is part of a broader government initiative to phase out hotels used for asylum seekers by 2029, relocating individuals to alternative accommodations, including properties and former military sites.
Mr. Nadeem, 40, stated that the family has experienced harassment since moving into the village. He reported an incident shortly after their arrival where individuals approached his wife and children outside their home, and later, two people arrived at the door, one wearing a mask, who filmed him when he answered. The family informed the private security firm Serco, which now patrols the neighborhood.
The family has contacted the Home Office requesting a return to Stockport, where they have friends and relatives. Mr. Nadeem cited concerns about the remote location, including the distance to essential services like grocery stores and the lack of a General Practitioner for his diabetes. He also noted that the weekly allowance of £295 for six people is largely consumed by taxi fares for essential errands.
"This is no good for us this place. It's too rural," Mr. Nadeem said. "We have security guards outside but we don't feel safe. We don't want to be here. It is not suitable for us - it is too far for jobs, shops and schools."
The children have been kept inside due to fears of abuse or threats, and Mr. Nadeem expressed that the situation mirrors the threats they faced in Pakistan, which led them to leave their homeland. The family has been provided with personal alarms for safety, and Mr. Nadeem has resorted to sleeping in the front room to protect his family.
Despite the difficulties, Mr. Nadeem affirmed their commitment to remaining in the UK, stating that Pakistan is not safe due to family issues and blackmail attempts. He emphasized their desire to integrate and contribute, contrasting their situation with the possibility of these newbuild homes being occupied by local families.
Shamaila Nadeem voiced her fear for her children's safety, stating, "We are scared to stay in this house. We hate it here." She noted that while some neighbors are welcoming, others are not. She contrasted their current isolation with their previous life in Stockport, where her husband worked, and their children had friends and family.
The Home Office has acknowledged that newbuild homes "should never house asylum seekers" and has implemented processes to prevent such situations in the future. The development in Stoke Heath predates a new directive from the Home Secretary aimed at avoiding housing asylum seekers in new properties that could potentially increase social tensions. Residents had previously voiced strong opposition to the use of these homes for asylum seekers, arguing they should be allocated to local families.
This situation arises as the government aims to move away from hotel accommodations for asylum seekers and as the Home Office announced that asylum seekers earning income in the UK will be required to contribute up to £10,000 towards their housing and support costs.