Government’s treatment of asylum seekers denounced by London councils

Two thirds of councils in London have written to home secretary Suella Braverman to condemn the treatment of people seeking refuge living in hotels across the capital and the UK.

Following the removal of over 100 people from a hotel in Greenwich to Dunstable, Bedfordshire – more than 50 miles away – the letter, signed by the leaders of 22 London councils, urges the government to take immediate action to prevent further suffering.

It sets out four key areas of improvement of the treatment of asylum seekers in hotels, including stopping the removal of people at only hours’ notice, improved communication and transparency with local authorities, ensuring basic needs are met including food and healthcare provision, and finding a permanent housing solution for people stuck in hotels.

The letter, led by the Royal Borough of Greenwich, has been co-signed by the London Boroughs of Barking and Dagenham and Hammersmith and Fulham, and Barnet, Brent, Camden, Ealing, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey, Hounslow, Islington, Lambeth, Lewisham, Newham, Redbridge, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Wandsworth and Westminster City Councils.

Of these councils, 21 are Labour-led and one – Tower Hamlets – is run by Lutfur Rahman of the Aspire party.

Anthony Okereke, leader of Greenwich council, said: “It is appalling that people who have spent months and sometimes years rebuilding their lives, studying, volunteering and establishing community links, are now being removed and placed miles away from their new homes against their wishes.”

Denise Scott-McDonald, Greenwich council’s cabinet member for health and adult services, and lead signatory of the letter, said: ‘The removal of asylum seekers goes completely against our principles as a borough that welcomes refugees and migrants. That’s why we have been trying to meet and work with the Home Office to find an alternative solution. 

‘Many people who have been moved or are waiting to be moved have told us they are incredibly frightened. While we appreciate that the Home Office is discharging its duty to provide accommodation to those seeking asylum, there must be a better way of doing it than this. 

‘We remain steadfast in our condemnation of the removal of people against their will and look forward to a timely response from the Home Office.’

Local authorities have no control over the management or running of hotels housing asylum seekers – this is under the complete jurisdiction of the Home Office and its contractors.

Greenwich council said that, like other signatories to the letter, it had written to the Home Office on numerous occasions to raise significant issues over the treatment and welfare of asylum seekers, but with minimal response.

Image: Ricardo Gomez Angel