Councils reveal devastating impact of asylum crisis on local communities as 38,000 migrants in hotels

The Home Office has a policy of trying to ensure the number of asylum seekers in any area is no more than one for every 200 local residents, known as the "cluster limit".

However, Middlesbrough Council has warned the average figure for the authority as a whole could be much higher in specific wards, leading to housing shortages and conflict.

Local authorities are warning that this situation is creating significant pressure on housing markets, schools, community cohesion and other local services

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Durham added: "The proliferation of Houses of Multiple Occupation, including conversion of former family homes to accommodate the asylum population, has been met with opposition in some areas."

The Local Government Association said councils are trying to prevent a repeat of last year's summer riots but need help.

Essex County Council has raised concerns about the impact on schools, stating: "The placement of relatively large numbers of children, within contingency accommodation, placed extreme pressure on school places in certain locations, particularly in the City of Chelmsford."

Eastbourne Borough Council reported that the local economy had been affected by hotels housing asylum seekers in their "designated tourism zone along the seafront."

The Local Government Association said councils are trying to prevent a repeat of last year's summer riots but need help

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Coventry City Council claimed that Serco, a Home Office contractor, had been "procuring properties and driving up rents" making housing unaffordable for local residents.

Kent County Council warned the "Home Office contractor continues to procure properties in Kent," exacerbating the issue of local authorities being unable to secure properties in the private rented sector.

Tamworth borough council noted that "the perceived competition for private sector rented properties is adding to the housing crisis."

Devon County Council has criticised the placement of asylum seekers, saying: "Hotels and dispersal accommodation has been stood up in unsuitable locations including where there is no natural community, no infrastructure or services."

Wolverhampton City Council highlighted "significant impacts on local services, including housing, safeguarding, community cohesion, and resources."

East Midlands Councils suggested asylum seekers should receive education on behavioural expectations, noting "instances where individuals have acted inappropriately within the standards of expected behaviour."

Halton Borough Council reported: "We're seeing increased elements of criminality and neighbour nuisance."

Brighton & Hove City Council found the opening of asylum hotels "with little or no warning very challenging," with "disproportionate pressure" on local schools.

Halton Borough Council reported: "We're seeing increased elements of criminality and neighbour nuisance"

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Greater Manchester Combined Authority warned that "uncollaborative and inequitable approaches to procurement, combined with reliance on hyper-visible hotel sites has exacerbated community tensions." They also noted "unmanageable demand for adult English language classes."

Alp Mehmet of Migration Watch said: "The strain is felt by communities, local authorities and businesses around the country. It also costs the taxpayer eye-watering amounts."

He called for the government to "reinstate the Rwanda scheme" and "pull out of the European Convention of Human Rights."

Tim Naor Hilton, chief executive of Refugee Action, warned that the current system "brings profits worth hundreds of millions to Home Office contractors."

Refugee Council's Enver Solomon stated: "We have always been against placing refugees in hotels. People find it hard to access the support services they need while living in a hotel."

A Home Office spokesman responded: “This Government inherited an asylum system under unprecedented strain, with thousands stuck in a backlog without their claims processed. We remain firmly committed to ending the use of asylum hotels, minimising the impact on communities, and reducing the overall cost of asylum accommodation."

“We continue to work closely with local authorities to address any exceptional circumstances and ensure appropriate solutions are in place.”