The government must ‘rethink’ asylum reforms which risk increasing homelessness and piling pressure on struggling local services, Southwark Council has warned.
The government unveiled tough plans to overhaul the migrant system in November, which are designed to discourage people from seeking asylum in the UK.
The measures include requiring refugees to wait longer before they can apply for permanent citizenship, and ending the legal duty to provide housing and financial support to asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute.
Southwark Council has said it is ‘deeply concerned’ about the proposals and called on its Labour colleagues in government to ‘urgently rethink’ the plans.
Jasmine Ali, the Deputy Leader of Southwark Council, said: “We believe in fair, firm and workable systems – but these proposals do the complete opposite.
“By extending insecurity and penalising people for needing help, the Government risks driving up child poverty, homelessness and pressure on local services.”
Council leader Sarah King said she would “once again urge the Home Secretary to consider our call for a fair and inclusive system, rather than one that will entrench a cycle of insecurity and increase the risk of exploitation and homelessness.”
One of the proposals is to double the length of time that migrants must stay in the country before they can apply for permanent residency from five to 10 years.
Those with non-skilled jobs designated as below graduate level would have to wait 15 years before they can apply.
Relatedarticles
From there, the length of wait times could be cut down depending on factors such as how much a person earns.
The council however has warned that extending wait times could disadvantage essential workers, carers and parents.
Cllr Ali added: “If Government proceeds, it must be honest about the consequences. That means proper transitional arrangements, no retrospective changes, and full new burdens funding for councils.
“Integration works when people have stability – not when insecurity is prolonged.”
