20/09/2023

All 55 hotels that were being used to house around 8,000 Afghans at the end of March were no longer being used as bridging accommodation by 31st August. This followed a cross-government effort to find and provide homes, working closely with Local Authorities and third-sector partners. These hotels are now being returned for use by their communities, but their betrayal of local communities shouldn’t be forgotten.

From April, the government served notice to quit to all Afghans living in bridging accommodation. As of 31st August 2023, no families were remaining in bridging hotels. 85% of families had been moved or matched to settled accommodation, with the remainder being supported by Local Authorities or in interim accommodation due to ‘medical reasons’.

The government have also used schemes which have resulted in many Afghans moving into the private rental sector with their rent covered by the British taxpayer and others moving into reappropriated Service Family Accommodation.

The UK government’s handling of housing arrangements for Afghan refugees has come under scrutiny, with critics raising concerns about resource allocation and the welfare of the British people’s needs.

While the government highlights what they called a ‘successful relocation’ of approximately 15,000 Afghans from bridging hotels, there is growing discontent regarding the Tory government’s priorities.

One of the primary criticisms revolves around the perceived prioritisation of Afghan refugees and illegal immigrants over the housing needs of British families.

The decision to allocate significant financial resources, including an estimated £1 million per day for bridging hotels as well as £8 million a day for housing illegal immigrants in hotels, has sparked outrage about whether these funds could have been better utilised to address domestic housing shortages and homelessness among the indigenous British population.

Many argue that the allocation of £250 million to expand the Local Authority Housing Fund for Afghan families not only diverts resources from British housing initiatives but also raises concerns about preferential treatment for Afghans over the natives. Furthermore, the creation of a dedicated housing portal for Afghan families and the granting of indefinite leave to remain, the right to work, and access to benefits and public services have led to privileges, which are extended to illegal immigrants and such policies inadvertently incentivise illegal immigration.

The government’s eagerness to provide for Afghans, along with its approach to open border immigration policies, has raised concerns about the potential repercussions for British citizens.

While the government celebrates the so-called success of its relocation efforts of foreigners, mounting criticism regarding resource allocation and the potential neglect of British citizens’ housing needs continues to be a contentious issue and one that this Tory government have any intentions of dealing with.

Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick defended the government’s actions, stating:

“Two years ago we undertook one of the largest evacuations in recent history, bringing 15,000 people from Afghanistan to safety in the UK at short notice. Through the tireless work of our dedicated Home Office staff, we have now provided these Afghans with the homes they need to begin the next chapter of their life in the UK. Not only can Afghan families now fully integrate, find employment, and provide their children with stability, but ending the temporary use of hotels will save the hardworking taxpayer millions of pounds and return them to their proper use by the community and local businesses.”

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