|
answer text |
<p>Asylum seekers are housed across the UK under voluntary agreements between national
government and local authorities that have been in place since 2000.The Home Office
maintains an active partnership with local governments across the UK, including those
in Scotland, and funds Strategic Migration Partnerships to plan for the most appropriate
dispersal of asylum seekers. The partnerships consider the impact on communities and
local services so that adjustments to dispersal patterns can be made where appropriate.</p><p>Local
authorities are consulted before asylum seekers are placed in their area, so that
the potential impact on communities and local services is fully considered. We continue
to work closely with a wide range of local authorities, including those in Scotland,
to increase the number of areas that voluntarily accommodate and support people seeking
asylum and protection – every local authority is encouraged to contribute.</p><p>There
are powers in the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 to designate areas of the country
as “reception zones” if it is believed that a local authority covering the particular
area has suitable housing that can used to accommodate destitute asylum seekers. The
Home Office has not used these powers, but would consult fully with local authorities
and Ministers of the Scottish Government if they were minded to use them.</p>
|
|