Review to assess Home Office engagement with local authorities on asylum accommodation plans

The independent body said its report, which will be submitted to the Government in August this year, will consider the effectiveness of the Home Office’s engagement strategy in enhancing its working with local authorities.

It will also examine local asylum accommodation delivery models and initiatives involving local authorities, as well as how the Home Office ensures that accommodation providers fulfil their responsibilities for coordinating with local authorities on new accommodation delivery.

In addition, it will examine how the Home Office assesses the impact on local services and community cohesion during site selection processes.

The Chief Inspector is a public appointee independent of the Government that scrutinises the immigration, asylum, nationality and customs functions carried out by the Home Secretary.

Asylum accommodation has proven controversial in several parts of the country, with some councils taking legal action in an attempt to block Home Office plans.

Last year, Epping Forest District Council sought an injunction to prevent a local hotel from being used to accommodate asylum seekers, but the High Court refused the application. The Court of Appeal subsequently refused permission to appeal, while the Supreme Court also rejected the council’s attempt to challenge the Home Office’s intervention in the proceedings.

Councils have also brought challenges against proposals to use disused military bases and airfields for asylum accommodation.

Adam Carey