Home Office allows 260 to stay in capital

The Home Office has said that 260 asylum seekers living in
emergency accommodation in London who require care available only
in the capital should not be dispersed, it was revealed last
week.

The Refugee Council has been negotiating with the government to
keep the group in London when it stops managing emergency
accommodation at the end of this month.

One of the National Asylum Support Service’s housing providers will
take over managing the accommodation of the group. Charities
Refugee Arrivals Project and Migrant Helpline will manage emergency
accommodation in London for new arrivals who can be
dispersed.

The Refugee Council said negotiations about the transfer of housing
management had been going on during the past year and described the
decision to stop providing emergency accommodation for new arrivals
as “strategic”.

Refugee Council deputy chief executive Margaret Lally said:”We plan
to focus on advice and other much needed services for asylum
seekers. The transition has been planned to minimise disruption to
clients and to liaise with stakeholders to ensure continuing
support for asylum seekers.”

Asylum seekers who need care only available in London include those
with certain medical needs and those receiving help from the
Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture.