The Authorities has rejected the FOI request drawing contemporary criticism.
The Authorities has rejected the FOI request (Picture: Getty)
The Residence Workplace is dealing with criticism after refusing to reveal which native authorities have engaged with a authorities scheme linked to asylum lodging. The division, led by Shabana Mahmood, rejected a Freedom of Data request from GB Information searching for particulars about councils concerned in a £500million fund. Officers stated releasing the knowledge may prejudice business pursuits tied to ongoing procurement.
The refusal has drawn a pointy response from Shadow Residence Secretary Chris Philp who described the choice as “shameful.” Responding to the request, the division stated: “If we have been to reveal the knowledge to you, this may be prone to prejudice the business pursuits of each the Residence Workplace and people firms with whom the Residence Workplace enters contracts.”
Shabana Mahmood was appointed Secretary of State for the Residence Division on 5 September 2025 (Picture: Getty)
The Residence Workplace acknowledged there’s a clear public curiosity in releasing the knowledge, significantly amid considerations over worth for cash in its contracts.
It added: “We’ve due to this fact concluded that the steadiness of public pursuits recognized lies in favour of sustaining the exemption.
“It’s because the general public curiosity lies in making certain that the Residence Workplace’s capability to guard its business competitiveness and relationships with its present service suppliers isn’t prejudiced.”
Shadow Residence Secretary Chris Philp advised GB Information: “It’s shameful that this Labour Authorities doesn’t need the British individuals to learn how many council homes they’re utilizing to accommodate unlawful immigrants.
“Unlawful immigrants shouldn’t be housed anyplace on this nation. They need to be despatched residence or to a secure third nation.”
The Authorities beforehand stated the scheme types a part of a £500 million plan to create a “extra sustainable” asylum lodging system, developed with native authorities.
The funding delivered by the Ministry of Housing in partnership with the Residence Workplace goals to assist councils present primary, short-term housing for asylum seekers whereas their claims are processed, decreasing reliance on motels.
The fund goals to help native authorities to make obtainable primary different lodging in order that it may be used on a brief foundation to accommodate asylum seekers ready for his or her circumstances to be processed. In the long run, the Authorities’s ambition is that this funding will depart an enduring legacy of housing for native communities and scale back stress on native housing markets.
Former Immigration Minister Kevin Foster advised GB Information: “The general public has a proper to know which councils are colluding with Labour ministers to present much-needed social housing to unlawful migrants.
“As a substitute, they search to cowl it up. With native elections arising, voters have a proper to know to allow them to go judgement.”
Some councils like Brighton & Hove, Hackney and Peterborough have reportedly expressed an curiosity within the scheme though the total variety of native authorities concerned stays unclear.
A Residence Workplace spokesperson advised the information outlet: “These claims are nonsense – it’s commonplace observe to not disclose ongoing procurement, as doing so may compromise the absolute best deal for the taxpayer.
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“New council housing won’t be utilized by unlawful migrants beneath any circumstances.”
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