The UK government is reportedly considering plans to move asylum seekers to more affluent areas, a policy that could lead to higher costs for taxpayers. Prime Minister Andy Burnham is advocating for a fairer distribution of asylum seekers across the country, asserting that wealthier communities should also contribute.
This potential shift comes as the government is examining the possibility of raising strict rent caps imposed on private sector contractors who provide housing for asylum seekers. Such an increase would permit more individuals to be housed in more expensive neighborhoods. Reports suggest the Prime Minister is determined to pursue this strategy as a matter of principle, regardless of the additional financial outlay.
According to Home Office figures from the end of March, 97,519 people were receiving asylum support. Of these, 20,885 were housed in hotels, while 3,866 received only subsistence support. The remaining 72,768 were in 'other' accommodation, including dispersal housing such as flats or houses often configured as multi-occupancy dwellings.
An analysis indicates that 17 local authority areas, including the Cotswolds, Derbyshire Dales, Malvern Hills, the New Forest, and the Scottish Highlands, currently have no asylum seekers receiving taxpayer support. Burnham stated that he does not want to see a situation where only the poorest communities bear the burden of refugee and asylum seeker dispersal.
"I do believe all parts of the country need to work, to play their part," Burnham said, addressing local opposition to plans for a former military base in Bicester, Oxfordshire, to accommodate 1,250 male asylum seekers. Residents near the proposed site have protested the plans, with some even voting to stage a symbolic referendum on leaving the UK.
Borders minister Anna Turley defended the proposals, emphasizing the need for a fair and equitable system for distributing asylum seekers nationwide. She pointed to areas like Blackpool, which she argued had already taken a disproportionate share of asylum seekers due to lower property prices, placing a significant strain on local resources and leading to unrest.
Conservative MPs have expressed anger over the potential policy change. Harriett Baldwin, MP for West Worcestershire, stated her constituents would not welcome large numbers of asylum seekers into mass accommodation that is not readily available. Joe Robertson, MP for Isle of Wight East, urged the government to prioritize cost-effective accommodation options for taxpayers.
A government spokesperson confirmed efforts to close all asylum hotels and move asylum seekers into basic accommodation. They noted that the number of asylum seekers receiving support has decreased, with a 35 percent reduction in those housed in hotels over the past year and a 63 percent fall from the peak in 2023. Overall asylum costs have reportedly fallen by £1 billion since the general election. The government stated it is working collaboratively with local authorities to house asylum seekers fairly across the country and is addressing local concerns to minimize community impact.