Councillors have raised concerns over ‘unsuitable’ accommodation for asylum seekers in Newcastle – saying local people should have more say on the issue. Elected members at Newcastle Borough Council passed a motion calling on the government to take a ‘more collaborative and locally informed’ approach to the placement of asylum seekers.
While Newcastle does not have any asylum hotels, council leaders have previously expressed concern over the use of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) and short-term lets in the borough. Home Office figures show that, as of June, there were 130 asylum seekers in dispersal accommodation in Newcastle – up until late 2023 the number was in single figures, but it has been rising since then.
Newcastle councillors say that inappropriate placements can put extra pressure on public services and cause local tensions while leaving the asylum seekers themselves isolated. The motion, proposed by the ruling Conservative group, asked council leader Simon Tagg and chief executive Gordon Mole to write to the government to request a review of current practices ‘with a view to ensuring better outcomes for both asylum seekers and local communities’.
It also called on Mr Mole to monitor developments and explore ‘legal and policy options’ in relation to asylum accommodation. Conservative councillor Mark Holland, who proposed the motion, said it was couched in ‘fair and proportionate terms’.
He said: “What is clear is that our residents expect us to take a stance on this, and to use whatever power we have to defend the best interests of our communities. There are grave consequences associated with the status quo, both for asylum seekers and the communities where they are placed.
“Our administration here has been very clear that hotels in our borough would be a deeply unsuitable choice for the government to be warehousing people with an application for asylum. It is difficult for me to imagine any situation in which a large concentration of people in the asylum system could be appropriately placed here in the borough.
“Nevertheless, we know the Home Office disperses asylum seekers in every part of the country, and the growing burden of supporting people whose claims the government has yet to assess exacts a cost on communities everywhere.”
Jill Whitmore, Conservative councillor for Madeley and Betley, said the placement of asylum seekers in flats in her ward was an example of unsuitable accommodation. She said: “They’re isolated there as there are not enough facilities in the village, and buses run sporadically to the town. The flats have been gated off, so they don’t interact freely with the community. I don’t think this an ideal placement for them.”
The motion was passed with the support of the Conservative group and most of opposition Labour group – although some Labour councillors questioned the timing of the motion and accused the Tories of playing politics with the issue. Labour councillor for Silverdale Jacqueline Brown said local services in the borough are already under strain.
Cllr Brown: “As elected members we should work with community leaders to promote a calm and kind approach. While I have seen window posters saying ‘refugees welcome’ in Newcastle, many of my residents tell me charity must begin at home.
“The austerity years have resulted in a weakening of the public services people rely on. This is not just housing, but medical appointments, leisure and recreational facilities and the privatisation of care and early years provision. People feel like the cupboard is bare.”
Gill Williams, Labour councillor for Cross Heath, who was among those to vote against the motion, accused the Conservatives of failing to tackle the problem of HMOs in the past.
She said: “Where on earth have the leader and his fellow Tories been living this past 10 years? Myself and fellow councillors have been fighting the use of HMOs for years. Local elections and devolution are pending and Cllr Tagg and his fellow Tories awaken to the fact that HMOs are a threat to our borough.
But Cllr Tagg rejected this criticism, insisting that he had fought against HMOs in the borough. He also claimed that it is important for councillors to be discussing the issue of asylum seeker accommodation.
He said: “Extremists can overrun this debate and make things worse. That’s why we, as the more sensible people in the room, should actually talk about it, and bring this motion forward. We should take control of this issue. We do want more control over what happens in our borough.”