Andrew Ranger MP made a statement addressing concerns about the asylum accommodation system and the rise of hostility towards asylum seekers.
He said: “Let’s remember the welcome part of ‘Welcome to Wrexham.'”
The MP also pointed to the recent proposals for asylum accommodation at Plas yn Rhos in Rhosllanerchrugog and Oak Alyn in Sydallt, which are now no longer planned for use by Clearsprings.
The Home Office dropped plans to use Oak Alyn Hall to house migrants seeking asylum. (Image: Google Street View)
These plans, put forward by Clearsprings, a company contracted to deliver asylum accommodation, focused attention on what Mr Ranger describes as a “lack of transparency in the system”.
He said: “There is considerable misinformation and disinformation circulating and certain actors who are exacerbating the situation for their own ends.”
Mr Ranger expressed concerns about short public consultation periods, the use of public funds by private companies, and what he described as “poor performance” by Clearsprings and other providers.
He confirmed he has raised these issues with the Home Secretary and is awaiting a response.
More broadly, Mr Ranger addressed public fears surrounding HMOs (houses of multiple occupation) and their association with asylum seekers.
He said: “This type of accommodation has been used for many years to offer affordable accommodation for people who cannot afford to rent a whole property, let alone buy a home.
“Examples could be student houses, or accommodation for those fleeing domestic abuse.
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“Indeed, in many cases, HMOs exist alongside other properties in neighbourhoods around Wrexham and residents have either no concerns or are unaware that an HMO is in their vicinity.”
Mr Ranger explained that HMOs need to go through the planning process, be licensed, and meet certain criteria.
He added: “Mislabelling all HMOs as being used by people seeking asylum and as a type of housing that should be viewed with suspicion and always opposed, is wrong.”
He reminded the public of the small number of asylum seekers living in the county.
Mr Ranger said: “As of September 2025, there were 117 asylum seekers living in Wrexham County Borough in dispersed accommodation, as there are no asylum hotels in Wrexham.
“The total population of Wrexham County Borough is close to 140,000, therefore asylum seekers represent a tiny proportion (0.0008 per cent) of people living here.”
He added that using inflammatory language towards asylum seekers was ‘provocative and insulting.’
Mr Ranger also addressed Wales’ ‘Nation of Sanctuary’ policy, clarifying that its costs represented less than 0.05 per cent of the Welsh Government’s budget over six years.
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Finally, the MP raised concerns about recent protests in Wrexham and their impact on asylum seekers.
He said: “It is extremely worrying that protests like this have been infiltrated by known neo-Nazis.
“I have been contacted by people living in our city, people who are from Wrexham, who are frightened.
“Wrexham is their home and now they feel targeted and threatened.
“This is not the Wrexham that I know.
“Wrexham is a welcoming place, and immigration is part of our city.
“Our public services, health and social care settings, hospitality and manufacturing businesses rely on immigration.”
He defended policing costs, noting that further funding from the Home Office was not reasonable, as the event was organised and attended by local people.
Mr Ranger concluded by emphasising Wrexham’s history as a welcoming city and the role of immigration in supporting public services and the economy.
He said: “Language matters and the politics of division and grievance that populism and nationalism feeds gets us nowhere.
“We are stronger when we work together, communicate and listen to each other.
“Let’s remember the welcome part of ‘Welcome to Wrexham’.
“We are stronger when we work together, communicate and listen to each other.”