Wrekin MP seeks clarity on asylum housing

The Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard has written to the government and local council seeking urgent clarification on where asylum seekers will be housed in Telford. Following reports that the Madeley Court Hotel will stop being used for such accommodation within weeks, questions remain about where the residents will be moved to.

Mr Pritchard has contacted both the Minister for Border Security and Asylum and the Chief Executive of Telford & Wrekin Council. He is asking for confirmation on whether individuals will be placed in local council housing, private rentals, or houses in multiple occupation.

Mark Pritchard said: “As the government tries to claim credit for moving illegal immigrants out of hotels, the obvious question is where are they being rehoused? Will they be in local council housing or HMOs or private rented housing? They will be housed somewhere, and local communities deserve to know where. Also, will they remain in the local community or be relocated out of area?

“Whilst some local authorities are reluctant to confirm where illegal migrants are placed, public safety concerns must be put first. Not all illegal migrants are dangerous, but some clearly are. The Council should be consulting with local parish and town councils, and local communities, before placements are made in communities, not after the event. At the very least, parents and schools should be alerted if illegal migrants are rehoused near schools.”

The MP has also tabled two Parliamentary questions to the Home Secretary. These questions focus on the security of asylum accommodation and the reporting of individuals who fail to return to their housing.

One of the questions asks if the Home Department will ensure those who do not report back within 72 hours are reported to the police and UK Visas and Immigration as having absconded. He also asked if steps would be taken to ensure residents are kept securely and have limits on the hours they are permitted to leave.