Southend: Landlords cash in on asylum seekers

Jean Sibley, Southend's Lib Dem deputy leader and spokesman for social services, said the existing laws were "flawed and unworkable" and changes needed to be made soon.

Mrs Sibley said: "The current situation in Southend is that there are more asylum seekers here than a year ago.

"This county and this town has a proud tradition of providing sanctuary to those fleeing violence and oppression but there are practical problems which the Labour Government has created. The Asylum Seekers Act is flawed and unworkable and the Government is treating local authorities with contempt.

"It is completely unacceptable that the Home Office is relying on private sector contracts with landlords to find accommodation.

"This process bypasses Southend Council - which after all is in the best position to know which landlords are good or bad and which areas are suitable or not.

She added: "It is a fiction for the Government to pretend there is suitable available accommodation in Southend. The reality is that landlords are signing up lucrative contracts and therefore the accommodation is no longer available to local people."

She said the council needed to act together to send a list of concerns over asylum seekers to the Government.

Mrs Sibley said: "The Home Office is reliant in the east of England on private sector contracts with landlords for accommodation.

"This practice should stop now and Southend Council should be responsible for working with local landlords. Secondly, London boroughs need to be instructed by the Home Secretary to stop immediately placing asylum seekers in Southend without reference to the council.

"This issue requires sensitive handling and local government should be overseeing it in partnership with central Government."

By James Howell

Reporter's e-mail: james.howell@notes.newsquest.co.uk

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