The UK government is reportedly considering plans to relocate asylum seekers to middle-class areas, a move that could incur higher costs for taxpayers. This initiative stems from a desire to ensure a more equitable distribution of asylum seekers across the country, moving away from concentrating them solely in the poorest communities.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has stated his intention to make sure arrivals are not exclusively placed in the 'poorest communities,' emphasizing that more affluent areas need to 'play their part.' The government is reportedly exploring the possibility of raising the strict rent caps imposed on private-sector contractors for asylum housing. This adjustment would permit asylum seekers to be moved to more expensive areas. A Downing Street source indicated that the Prime Minister is keen to pursue these plans 'as a point of principle,' even if the financial implications are greater.
As of the end of March, Home Office figures indicated that 97,519 individuals were receiving asylum support. Of these, 20,885 were housed in hotels, and 3,866 received subsistence support only. The remaining 72,768 were in 'other' accommodation, including dispersal housing, which often consists of flats or houses converted into multiple-occupancy dwellings.
Analysis has revealed 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. This contrasts with areas like Blackpool, where lower property prices have led to a significant number of asylum seekers, reportedly placing a 'huge burden' on the community and causing 'real civil unrest.'
Borders minister Anna Turley defended the proposed distribution plans, arguing for a 'fair and equitable system.' Concerns have been raised by some Conservative Members of Parliament, with Harriett Baldwin, MP for West Worcestershire, stating that her constituents would not welcome asylum seekers into mass accommodation. Joe Robertson, MP for Isle of Wight East, advised that locations offering the most cost-effective accommodation should be chosen in the best interest of taxpayers.
A government spokesperson affirmed the commitment to closing asylum hotels and transitioning asylum seekers into basic accommodation. They noted a decrease in the number of asylum seekers receiving support, with a 35% drop in those in hotels over the last year and a 63% reduction from the peak in 2023. Overall asylum costs have reportedly fallen by £1 billion since the general election. The spokesperson added that the government is working with local authorities to house asylum seekers fairly across the country, while also listening to local concerns to mitigate community impact.