First family evicted under asylum policy

A mother and her four-year-old daughter have become the first
family to be evicted under the government’s policy that can
lead to failed asylum seekers having their children taken into
care, it emerged this week, writes Amy
Taylor.

The 26-year-old, who has asked not to be named, and her
daughter, are staying with a friend in Rochdale, Greater Manchester
after being evicted from their home by the local council.

A Rochdale Council spokesperson said that the local authority
had known that the woman had somewhere else to go when it decided
to evict the pair. He added that the council was providing
financial support for the child in line with its legal
responsibilities.

The policy, contained in section 9 of the Asylum and Immigration
(Treatment of Claimants, etc) Act 2004, removes benefits, including
rent money, from asylum seeker families whose claims have failed
and who refuse to leave the country voluntarily.

Up until now all families who have had their benefits removed
under the policy have been allowed to stay in their homes by the
councils involved.