Earlier this week, Alex Norris, Minister of State for Border Security and Asylum, made a statement to Parliament outlining the Government's plans for accommodating those seeking asylum in Britain.
Because of the Government's failure to leave the ECHR and tackle the small boats crisis, over 70,000 migrants have illegally crossed the Channel since the General Election.
As a result, the Government now has to open new accommodation for these individuals if it is to meet its pledge of ending the use of asylum hotels. This will see asylum seekers relocated into Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) across the country as part of the Government's dispersal accommodation policy, while others will be moved into former Ministry of Defence sites.
I have specific and very serious concerns about the Home Office's policy of moving asylum seekers into residential HMOs and what this could mean for our local communities in Maidstone and Malling. This scheme appears to have been rushed and inadequately thought through, creating the risk of significant unintended consequences and placing unnecessary pressure on social cohesion and already stretched local services.
The Government also confirmed that there is currently no formal process for consulting either Members of Parliament or, more importantly, local residents before these proposals are implemented. This lack of transparency is unacceptable.
Next week, I will be meeting senior Home Office officials to raise my concerns, seek further clarity on the potential impact for my constituents, and present a petition organised by KCC Member Cllr Andrew Kennedy, which has been signed by more than 2,000 local people opposed to this policy.
I will continue to provide updates on this important issue on my Facebook page.
