Bishop Auckland MP criticises London councils refugee moves

The Northern Echo exclusively revealed this week that large numbers of refugees are being transported hundreds of miles away from their support networks and abandoned without local authority knowledge.

One family arrived at a home with no gas or electricity, while another turned up at a house with broken windows.

Sam Rushworth, Labour MP for Bishop Auckland, has branded the policy by London Borough councils and other local authorities in the South as "unfair".

He criticised the decision of the previous government to slash funding to Durham County Council and highlighted how southern councils were "off-loading" their responsibilities.

Mr Rushworth said: "What we are seeing is very concerning.

"Vulnerable people are being transported hundreds of miles away from their support networks and abandoned in an area that does not have the same experience and well-developed services for integrating them into the community and meeting their needs.

(Image: Northern Echo)

"Furthermore, the previous government savagely slashed County Durham’s budgets, leaving us paying higher council tax for a smaller budget, while the southern counties that are off-loading their refugees here are comparatively better funded and better resourced.

"It is vital this unfair funding gap is reversed so that County Durham taxpayers get a fairer deal.”

He joined calls from Durham City MP Mary Kelly Foy and Easington MP Grahame Morris for changes to the practice.

Ms Foy described the process as “little more than social cleansing” and how “heartbreaking” it is hearing what people are going through.

(Image: Stuart Boulton)

Mr Morris summarised what London and southern councils are doing as “unacceptable”.

Cllr Alan Shield, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for equality and inclusion, previously said: “We pride ourselves on being part of a welcoming and inclusive county and as a council we take a compassionate approach to anyone who is vulnerable or displaced.

“This includes taking part in government refugee resettlement programmes through which we provide support to those who need it, although it is worth stressing the number of people we agree to help is proportionate to the size of our population.

“It’s also worth noting that where people have been given leave by the government to stay in the UK, it is their right to resettle where they like following their initial supported placement.

“As we’ve previously stated, we are aware that some London councils have offered their residents private tenancies in other parts of the country, including in the North East. These arrangements are made directly between the councils in question and private sector landlords and are not something that we are involved in, nor are they something we condone.  

“We only become aware that people have been relocated to our area when we’re approached by councillors, local charities, members of the community or the families themselves, seeking support and assistance for them. 

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“Where this has happened, we have made contact with the councils responsible to query why they have not given us prior notice of the relocation, as they are required to, and whether they have assessed what support is needed or being provided to the residents. We have also arranged to carry out property checks in those few instances in line with our compassionate approach.”

The Home Office acknowledged that the UK Government has resettled many refugees fleeing danger over many years.

A spokesperson said: "Any issues with accommodation should be raised with local authorities, with whom we work extensively to ensure that all families are well supported to build their new lives."