Mps want all councils forced to offer temporary asylum seeker homes

The Home Affairs Select Committee has issued a report branding the standard of housing for asylum seekers in the UK "a disgrace" because of a dire shortage, as many local

authorities refuse to allow them to be housed in their areas. The committee has called on the Home Office to use powers to force councils to "take their fair share" if they do not

start allowing them in voluntarily, to cater for increased immigration. Currently, it is down to a local authority if they chose to accept asylum seekers into their area and the majority

refuse to take part. The report has slammed the Home Office's current COMPASS contract system for asylum accommodation, which is provided by three private contractors, saying it is not

working and major reforms are needed. It was published today brands the state of some asylum accommodation provided by Government contractors a “disgrace” and says it is “shameful” that very

vulnerable people have been placed in these conditions. A Home Office spokesperson said: "We have been proactively engaging with all areas that to date have not participated in asylum

dispersal with a view to negotiating agreements to do so.  "There are now over 120 local authorities signed-up to asylum dispersal.  "Since 2015, 30 new local authority areas have

agreed to become dispersal areas and we are in discussions with many more. “The UK has a proud history of granting asylum to those who need our protection and we are committed to providing

safe and secure accommodation while applications are considered. “We work closely with our contractors to ensure they provide accommodation that is safe, habitable, fit for purpose and

adequately equipped and we conduct regular inspections to check that this is the case. “We will consider the Committee’s recommendations and respond in full shortly.”