COUNCILLORS in Rugby have called on the government to clear the asylum claims backlog – while acknowledging migrant workers’ contributions to the town’s economy and community.
Rugby Borough Council has adopted a resolution calling on the government to urgently clear the backlog which has led to hotels being used as asylum accommodation, allowing them to return to community use.
During a debate, councillors recognised that families and children of migrants seeking refuge were being supported in Rugby, and thanked the work of agencies and volunteers.
They also welcomed the council’s policy which allows the public to have a say on the density of Houses of Multiple Occupation in the borough.
In a speech to councillors, Coun Claire Edwards, the council’s spokesperson for Communities, Homes, Regulation and Safety, highlighted how the first Syrian families who came to Rugby in 2012 were now settled and contributing to the economy through their jobs and taxes, and were now valued members of the community.
She also said families from Ukraine, Hong Kong and Afghanistan had also been welcomed and well-supported.
She added: “Whilst migrants seeking asylum are here in Rugby, we need to treat them with the British values we all hold dear – that of compassion, of tolerance, of respect and dignity in the way that everyone in this chamber expects to be treated and expects to treat other people in our community, whether they are new to Rugby or just passing through.
“That does not mean we continue as usual, but to urge better dialogue, quicker asylum decision making and that everyone is subject to the same rules that we have – which means keeping women and girls safe.”
Coun Isabelle McKenzie, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said the current system of asylum hotels did not benefit the community, the asylum seekers or the country.
She added: “Cutting the wait time for decisions from years to months will remove the need for asylum hotels and get those who are genuine asylum seekers a chance to work and integrate into our communities.
“This is why we are calling on the government to cut the wait times, remove the backlog and treat this as an emergency.”
The council will now seek legal advice on the use of hotels as asylum accommodation, and the options available regarding the further use of local hotels.
It will also formally call on the government to develop a ‘sustainable, properly planned, and community consulted approach’ to asylum accommodation, and implement an ‘urgent programme’ to clear the 70,000 asylum-claim backlog.
