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Councils pledge not to co-operate with Home Office on new policy that could see rough sleepers deported
Local authorities are refusing to co-operate with the Home Office over its new immigration policy that makes rough sleeping grounds for deportation.
The Greater London Authority (GLA) alongside Southwark, Islington and Lewisham councils have signed a pledge that states they will not refer any individuals under the new rules.
The pledge is part of a campaign by membership body Homeless Link and has been signed by more than 40 homelessness organisations, including St Mungo’s, The Salvation Army and Crisis.
In January the government’s new post-Brexit immigration rules came into force, which included a new policy that stated rough sleeping could be considered grounds for refusing or cancelling an individual’s leave to remain in the UK.
Last month the government published guidance that clarified the policy should only be used in cases where someone “has repeatedly refused suitable offers of support and engaged in persistent anti-social behaviour”.
The guidance states that local authorities can refer individuals to the Immigration Enforcement National Command and Control Unit “because of their offending or anti-social behaviour and where the person has failed to cooperate with offer of support”.
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However, homelessness charities have warned that the rules could still deter vulnerable rough sleepers from seeking support from their local authorities or charities due to fear of deportation.
Fiona Colley, director of social change at Homeless Link, said the organisation is asking councils to pledge not to co-operate with the Home Office “so that people aren’t afraid to come and ask for the help that they need”.
“We want them to shout about it because we are really worried that people will just be pushed underground or they’ll shy away from approaching services and put themselves more at risk of exploitation,” she said.
Homeless Link is calling for the new rules to be scrapped entirely, however Ms Colley said “it’s clear that even if they aren’t scrapped, a lot could be done by local authorities and our service providers if they would pledge not to refer individuals to the Home Office under the rules”.
Tom Copley, deputy mayor of London for housing and residential development, said: “I’m proud that the GLA is standing alongside other local authorities and homelessness organisations in opposing these divisive and damaging policies while continuing to support non-UK nationals who need our help.
“Ministers must listen to those on the frontline of our homelessness crisis and scrap these draconian laws before working with all of us to find ethical, sustainable solutions.”
Paul Bell, cabinet member for housing and planning at Lewisham Council, and Kevin Bonavia, cabinet member for democracy, refugees and accountability, said the rules represented a “cruel attack on the most vulnerable in our society”.
Stephanie Cryan, cabinet member for council homes and homelessness at Southwark Council, said: “It is wrong to deport people who desperately need our help, some who have genuine leave to remain and for whom this is a deterrent in them seeking the support they are entitled to.”
A spokesperson from Islington Council said the rules are “likely to play into the hands of exploitative landlords and employers” and vowed not to collaborate.
A government spokesperson said: “The government has made clear that no one should be without a roof over their head. We have provided unprecedented funding to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping, committing over £750m this year.
“The immigration rule addresses rough sleepers that are causing harm within communities. The rule, which is discretionary, is only to be used as a last resort. It allows for permission to stay to be refused or cancelled when a person repeatedly refuses offers of suitable support and is engaged in persistent anti-social behaviour.”
