The failures of this government to support asylum seekers in London has left residents to pick up the bill.
Our city is rightly proud of its welcoming nature. Over the centuries, different groups have made London their home – making London the vibrant city that it is today.
This is reflected in my own very diverse constituency with a rich blend of cultures, religions and ethnicities in a world city where more than 40% of residents were born outside the UK.
Yet the Government is taking this welcome for granted at a time when we are seeing the rise of a different narrative in London.
The Prime Minister is simultaneously failing vulnerable asylum seekers and the London Boroughs supporting them.
He has pledged to clear the hotels without forwards plans. Thousands of the most vulnerable in society have no option but to present themselves at town halls and civic centres in desperate need of support.
Labour’s failure to secure our borders and their desire to offload asylum seekers onto local authorities as soon as possible is pushing councils to the brink.
Despite his promises, hotels are still being opened and the numbers in them has risen by 9% since the 2024 election. This burden is disproportionately falling on London Boroughs.
Over a third of the total asylum seekers being supported in hotels are in London while a fifth of the total number in all forms of accommodation are in our capital.
When their application is approved, they cease to be supported by the home office and move on to the councils. This is where Whitehall ceases providing funding and instead local taxpayers pay the price.
Burdens on housing lists, school places and social services are just the tip of the iceberg and councils are being forced to tighten their belts to overcome the shortfalls.
My constituents in Hillingdon will be acutely aware of this issue. Hillingdon Council hosts 3,000 asylum seekers in Home Office accommodation – the most per capita of any local authority.
Because of this, the council is facing a £5 million per annum shortfall. This is more than the council’s entire budget for libraries and culture. I support our councillors in campaigning for fair funding for the work they do in what is unambiguously a national responsibility.
Despite recognition of our unique challenges by the last government, fair funding has not been provided by central government.
With the acceleration of home office evictions under this government, we have seen the council’s cash reserves take a hit.
This year, it was outlined that savings would have to be made in the Borough and that council tax would have to increase to offset the asylum-related shortfalls.
Since 1998, residents have come to expect high standards of services. Successive council leaders have ensured low taxes and charges for residents while delivering investment into our schools and social services.
I have every confidence that the excellent officers of Hillingdon Council will provide continue to deliver the best services that they can. Indeed, the local council leader has been clear in his desire to continue his hard work despite the unique strains being put on the council by the government’s failure to provide adequate support.
As the Leader of the Council has made clear, Hillingdon is a safe and welcoming borough for the vulnerable. As a port authority it has always provided a home for many, but the government must go further to assure that residents can continue to open their communities to those in need.
David Simmonds is Conservative MP for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner
