MIGRANTS are being housed in deprived areas of the UK where local police, NHS, and other services are already stretched to near breaking point, leaked documents reveal.
The Sun can reveal that high level meetings between the Home Office and local councils in recent weeks have focused on the need for “social cohesion” – with councils fuming that more and more asylum seekers are being dumped on them with no notice.
GettyMigrants are being housed in deprived areas of the UK where services are already stretched, pictured protesters outside an asylum hotel[/caption]
GettyOfficials are also concerned about potential unrest growing in these areas[/caption]
“Clusters” of migrant accommodation are posing particular risks, with officials acknowledging that the issue is leading to more community tension and protests.
Local officials are also being asked to feedback to Government ministers about any potential unrest in their areas.
The Sun has seen a leaked memo from a roundtable held by the Asylum and Resettlement, Council Senior Engagement Group on August 12, which had officials from the Home Office present.
It was raised that a lack of focus on “cohesion, safeguarding, integration and community development work” was a contributing factor to “the violence” seen outside some migrant hotels in recent weeks.
The document stated: “Concentration of asylum procurement within specific parts of council areas remains a challenge to community cohesion, creating clusters.
“This impacts on wider council and partner services. Accommodation is often procured in areas of higher deprivation and low-cost housing, where services are already pressured, which further exacerbates community tensions and poses risks to successful integration.
“In addition, there is often a view from councils and Police forces that their feedback on proposed procurement in such areas is not given due regard.”
There are around 210 asylum hotels still open in the UK – despite widespread anger over their use.
Labour has promised to close them but has yet to say where the 38,000 people currently being housed in hotels would go as an alternative.
Epping Forest District Council recently won a High Court battle to close a hotel in their area after locals protested against its use.
Other local authorities – including Labour and Lib Dem run councils – have indicated that they are looking at similar legal options.
The Home Office was contacted for comment.
GettyThere are around 210 asylum hotels still open in the UK, pictured protest in Norwich[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
