News

Manchester Council and the Home Office are in disagreement over negotiations on the fate of properties reserved for asylum seekers that are lying empty, writes Amy Taylor.

The council says it accepted a Home Office suggestion that it use the properties for a different client group in September 2004, but has heard nothing since from the government department despite making several inquiries.

However, the Home Office says it failed to reach agreement with the council over how the properties should be used, though it “remains interested” in talking to the council.

The authority’s contract with the National Asylum Support Service to provide housing for asylum seekers is due to expire in November this year, but some of the homes are empty because of a sharp decline in asylum applications.

The council said it wanted to use up to 25 properties for other groups. It would no longer receive money from NASS for this accommodation.