Agenda item

The Director of Housing submits a report updating the Commission on Immigration, Migration and Asylum within the city.

Members will be asked to provide any comments and note the contents of the report.

The Director for Housing introduced the item to highlight as the recent census illustrated, Leicester is a growing city and is made up of many communities from around the world. The city has around 345k residents and asylum seekers make up only a very small proportion of the population. 

The Head of Service presented a set of slides, and it was noted that:

·       Data from the 2021 Census highlights that Leicester is one of the fastest growing cities compared with other core cities according; 41% of the population were born oversees, a 7% increase from the 2011 Census; and the city if the fourth most deprived by proportion of household.

·       Residents in Leicester born in the top 10 non-UK place of birth has increased for all countries with the exception of Kenya and Zimbabwe since the 2011 Census. India as a place of birth was the largest growth making up 16% of Leicester’s population, there was a 422% increase in residents born in Italy living in Leicester and residents from Romania make up 1.3% of total population.

·       Large numbers of people have been entering the UK illegally using small boats – the peak in 2022. The Illegal Immigration Act 2023 is intended to look at methods of entry and managing immigration but details are still being developed. However, based on current information it does not contain the same powers to detain and deport unaccompanied asylum seeking children as it does for adults.

·       The city is involved in a number of schemes to support people coming to the UK including NASS, Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children, Afghan, Ukraine, Hong Kong British National Overseas, Syria and the Community Support Group. Each scheme has different rules, regulation and funding. They all remain live, and people can come to the UK with the exception of the Syrian scheme.

·       The numbers of current asylum seekers in the City was shared with the commission and also the figure for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. We have 160 sponsors for the Homes for Ukraine scheme and just over 260 guests. The city committed to housing support for twelve families as part of the Afghan scheme with the families settling into the city. As of August 2023, eight thousand Afghan families were still living in temporary hotels throughout the UK and were asked to leave – most found alternative accommodation but around one thousand vulnerable Afghans remain in hotels across the county and will be asked to leave by the Home Office by December. 

·       All children that arrive under any scheme are placed in appropriate education as quickly as possible as schooling is important for settlement. Except for asylum seekers, schemes usually allow access to public funds. Each scheme will have different rules that can make it complex, but support is provided by services although they are under increasing pressure.

·       Over the next three months there will be a speeding up of the asylum process to process claims and make a decision for applications of individuals from specific countries of origin. This is called SAP. The Home Office intend to progress and finalise 73 thousand applications nationally, including around 4.5 thousand in the East Midlands. Those with a positive outcome will need to leave Home Office accommodation and will be able to seek housing, benefits and have a right to work. Those who are unsuccessful will return to their country of origin.

·       The Home Office are maximising hotel spaces which means more than one individual may be staying within accommodation. They are also seeking additional properties in Leicester.

·       The potential of increased successful application in a short time period could have an impact on local services in terms of capacity and resources, particularly around housing which could lead to street homelessness but will be monitored and managed.

·       Leicester has a proud history of welcoming communities and the diversity, richness and cultural development individuals bring is celebrated.

In response to questions and comments from Members, it was noted that:

·       The notice period for individuals who have been granted right to remain is inadequate at 21 days, particularly when all other agencies usually provide 56 days’ notice in advance of becoming homeless. This is an issue both the Deputy City Mayor for housing and neighbourhoods and Deputy City Mayor for social care, health and community safety have raised in national forums and supported by other local authorities but the Home Office are not committed to extending the notice period.

·       280 additional properties are being procured by an agent on behalf of the Home Office in the city.

·       Migrant Help is an organisation that support asylum seekers during their applications process through to re-settlement. It was agreed that more details would be shared with the Commission.

·       Funding varies depending on circumstances and national schemes, however it is not sufficient to meet the pressures on services.

The Chair noted and agreed with comments of the Commission that Leicester is a welcoming city and thanked officers for their work despite the additional pressures on the service.

AGREED:

·       The Commission noted the report.

·       The Commission be provided with the additional information requested.