Hillingdon is facing exceptional financial pressure due to the Government’s failure to support asylum seekers. London has a long history of welcoming different groups of migrants who have made our great city their home, but the Government is undermining that generosity by shunting the cost of supporting asylum seekers onto taxpayers.
Since my time as a councillor, I have been acutely aware that, as a port of authority, Hillingdon faces exceptional challenges as large numbers of those claiming asylum arrive in the borough. While other councils may talk a good game, it is Hillingdon that is at the forefront of housing and supporting asylum seekers.
Figures from the Home Office show that there has been a 7% rise in the asylum and dispersal accommodation numbers. This is evident at the Civic Centre in Uxbridge, where many present themselves for support. This is putting huge pressure on council services.
This afternoon, I pushed Ministers to provide councils with certainty by agreeing that the housing needs of local residents should be put ahead of those who are newly arrived and seeking asylum.
