Bassetlaw District Council has issued a statement on Tuesday (London time) addressing widespread misinformation about its role in housing individuals seeking asylum in the UK. The statement seeks to clarify the processes involved, emphasizing that the Council does not provide or manage accommodation for asylum seekers and that such arrangements are the responsibility of the Home Office and its partners.
The housing of asylum seekers in the UK, including in the East Midlands, is overseen by the Home Office, its partner Serco, and East Midlands Councils. Serco sources properties exclusively from the private rental sector, and Bassetlaw District Council does not supply or approve these accommodations. Private landlords can lease properties to Serco directly, without Council involvement.
The Council reassured residents that its housing services remain unaffected by the asylum accommodation process. People already on the Council’s housing waiting list will not experience any changes to their housing options. Applicants for Council housing must still meet the criteria of the Council’s Allocations Policy, including a requirement to have lived in Bassetlaw for at least five years.
Serco consults the Council for feedback on the suitability of specific postcode areas for housing asylum seekers. However, the Council does not approve or reject these areas outright. Instead, it can provide evidence-based recommendations if certain areas should be "closed" or "limited." Final decisions are made by Serco and, if escalated, the Home Office.
Under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, the Council has a legal duty to assist individuals who are granted the right to remain in the UK and present as homeless. This assistance often involves sourcing private rental properties rather than using Council-owned housing. Conversely, the Council has no obligation to provide accommodation for asylum seekers whose applications are unsuccessful.
The Council clarified that it has not been contacted by the Home Office, Serco, or East Midlands Councils regarding the housing of individuals who were previously accommodated on the Bibby Stockholm barge.
This statement aims to dispel rumors and ensure transparency about the Council’s limited role in the housing of asylum seekers, reinforcing that the process is managed independently by national authorities and private sector partners.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
