Questions Raised Over Asylum Accommodation in Fleckney

Questions have been raised over the decision to house five asylum seekers in Fleckney.

The men have been placed in a property in the village as part of the Government’s Asylum Dispersal Programme.

South Leicestershire MP Alberto Costa says Fleckney lacks the infrastructure, services and “democratic mix” of a place like Leicester, which he believes would be a more suitable location.

Mr Costa is also concerned that the decision was made without consultation with him, other elected representatives or local residents, prompting him to write to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.

Accommodation for the dispersal programme is sourced and managed by private contractor Serco on behalf of the Government.

Mr Costa spoke to HFM:

Questions have been raised over the decision to house five asylum seekers in Fleckney.

Serco says it works “under the direction of the Home Office”, which decides where people are placed based on overall national demand.

The company says it engages with the relevant local authority on each new property and gives councils an opportunity to provide a view on the suitability of an address for asylum accommodation.

A spokesperson for Harborough District Council said: “Responsibility for the operation of the asylum dispersal programme, including accommodation decisions, rests with Serco and the Home Office.”

The council says it has kept relevant stakeholders informed and that safety and wellbeing considerations around accommodation placements are “primarily matters for Serco when assessing suitable locations”.

The Home Office says: “The concerns of communities are central to our immigration reforms.”

It says all asylum hotels are being closed, with asylum seekers moved into alternative accommodation, including former military sites.

The department says it is “working to fairly house asylum seekers across the country” and engaging with local authorities to reduce the impact on communities.

It also says it has saved taxpayers more than £1 billion on asylum support costs since the election.

Previous plans to house asylum seekers in Kibworth and Great Glen were dropped following concerns raised by Harborough MP Neil O’Brien.