The City of Sanctuary Local Authority network has just written to the Secretaries of State expressing their concern about the state of accommodation provision for people seeking sanctuary.
The Local Authority network formally represents 55 councils and engages with 150 others across the UK.
Time and time again, local authorities rise to the occasion, participating in various government schemes such as ARAP, ACRS, VPRS, Asylum Dispersal, Community Sponsorship, Homes for Ukraine, Hong Kong BNO scheme, National Transfer Scheme, and have hosted bridging and contingency accommodation sites.
But they are seriously concerned with how these schemes are being implemented.
As members of this network, these councils are committed to playing their part in welcoming and safeguarding the welfare of all people in their communities, including people seeking sanctuary and people granted leave to remain – but poor communication, lack of funding, additional pressures on councils resources and removals of vital safety regulation are putting people seeking sanctuary in harms way.
We urge the Secretary of State to listen to these councils concerns and implement the Local Authority network’s suggestions.
Read the Government response here
Learn more about the City of Sanctuary Local Authority network here.
For press queries, please contact:
Communications Manager – [email protected]
Local Authority Lead – [email protected]