A motion was put forward at Wednesday’s full council meeting, calling on Bolton Council to not bid for a “discriminatory scheme” to build or refurbish council homes for asylum seekers.

The Government announced a pilot scheme that would give money to local authorities for the homes, in a bid to reduce spending on hotels.

Due to running over time the motion was not debated, but the council voted unanimously against participating in the scheme.

‘Cllr Walsh might as well have brought forward motions calling on the council not to launch a space programme’

Sean Fielding, the executive cabinet member for adults and community housing, said that the council “never intended to, and never would, participate in such a scheme”.

He said the motion, brought by Conservative councillor John Walsh, was brought “purely to rabble rouse” and appeal to “the type of people who are leaving the Conservatives in their droves for Reform UK”.

Cllr Fielding added: “I hope that local people will not allow themselves to be fooled by these kinds of underhand tactics by the Conservative Party.

“Cllr Walsh might as well have brought forward motions calling on the council not to launch a space programme, concrete over Jumbles Country Park or knock down Smithills Hall”.

He called the motion “classic opposition” particularly “as we approach local elections that are likely to be disastrous from them”.

‘Responsibility should be shared around the country’

Cllr Fielding said: “Bolton Council’s policy under the current Labour administration is to resist the placement of any more asylum seekers in properties in our borough.

“We have had success in this respect, securing Serco’s agreement not to procure any more properties for asylum dispersal, and preventing the Home Office from using local hotels too.

“While we are willing to play our part in providing refuge for those fleeing conflict or persecution, we believe that the responsibility should be shared around the country more equitably.

“There are plenty of other areas that haven’t done as much as Bolton who need to step up.”

Around 200 councils applied for taxpayer funds under the pilot scheme, which will initially lease the properties to the Home Office but could later be turned into social housing.

Hackney, Brighton and Hove, Thanet, Peterborough and Powys councils have all declared their interest in the pilot.

But critics have argued the scheme will unfairly prioritise asylum seekers over those on the housing waiting list.

Last year, more than 1.3 million households were on social housing waiting lists across England, which is the highest number since 2014.

The Home Office is currently responsible for housing around 100,000 asylum seekers.