South Staffordshire Council has been notified by the Home Office that two hotels in the district have been made available for immediate use by asylum seekers from November 10, 2022.
The increase in dangerous small boat crossings is causing an unprecedented strain on the asylum system, consequently the Home Office are having to acquire hotels through contracted providers at very short notice. Given the immediate challenges at the Manston facility in Kent, they have also in recent days on occasion needed to acquire additional hotels and individual hotel rooms on a night-by-night basis. This is an additional, temporary measure given the imperative to move a significant number of people on from Manston at pace.
South Staffordshire Council and local partners were not consulted prior to the use of these hotels by the Home Office, due to the emergency situation in the Manston asylum processing centre and the urgent need to find accommodation elsewhere. This is happening across the country, and not just in South Staffordshire, as the Government tries to uphold its obligations under the Refugee Convention and continues to process claims for both individuals and families awaiting a decision on their asylum claim at this current time.
The Home Office has indicated that the use of these hotels will be short term accommodation until more suitable accommodation can be found, but they are unable to give a timescale due to the continuing pressures in the asylum system.
SERCO are the Home Office appointed contractors for asylum dispersal and are responsible for ensuring the health, wellbeing, safety and welfare of asylum seekers. This includes providing food and other basic provisions where this is required. This is not a local authority or NHS responsibility. SERCO are providing 24-hour onsite support to these residents.
Council officers are working closely with partner organisations, including the County Council, Health, Fire and the Police to ensure we can address any issues should they arise.
