Ministers retreat over asylum costs
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.NICHOLAS TIMMINS
Public Policy Editor
The Government yesterday promised local authorities millions of pounds in compensation to meet legal obligations to asylum seekers which councils will continue to face despite ministers' moves to cut back on their benefits.
Conservative-controlled West- minster council and Hammersmith and Fulham dropped a High Court action challenging the regulations when the environment and social security departments confirmed they will meet 80 per cent of any unavoidable extra costs they face.
The move puts a dent into the pounds 200m savings that Peter Lilley, Secretary of State for Social Security, has said will be made by requiring asylum seekers to make their claim as they enter the country, and not later, and withdrawing benefits while they appeal against an initial refusal of asylum.
However, councils will retain a duty to house people under homelessness legislation until at least the summer when the Asylum and Immigration Bill is expected to become law, and a continuing duty beyond that to the children of asylum seekers under the Children's Act.
Westminster has estimated "conservatively" that its costs could be pounds 10m, with Hammersmith and Fulham predicting its costs over the next 12 months would be pounds 4m, with other councils also affected.
The decision was hailed as "a victory" by Iain Coleman, leader of Hammersmith and Fulham, who said it "makes a nonsense of the benefit changes. The Government said it wanted to reduce the burden on taxpayers by cutting benefits to asylum seekers. It now admits that one way or another a significant part of these costs have to be met and they couldn't get away with simply passing them on to local authorities."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments