Reform UK councillor Darren Grimes has declared County Durham "essentially the most hostile place" for House Workplace migrant placements, saying that the council has applied measures to withstand asylum seeker lodging within the space.
Talking on GB Information, Grimes acknowledged: "County Durham just isn’t Westminster's dumping floor. We now have put in place some measures, some but to be introduced, that makes completely clear we’re essentially the most hostile place for the House Workplace to dump migrants upon our disadvantaged communities."
The councillor emphasised that Reform is "preventing for his or her communities, equity and customary sense that has been sorely lacking from the nationwide debate."
He rejected strategies that the celebration's stance was anti-asylum, insisting as an alternative that Reform is "pro-communities who’ve been left to the sidelines."
The House Workplace has paused property procurement in Durham this week, halting the acquisition of properties for asylum seekers within the space.
House Workplace contractor Mears Group introduced on 21 June that it had "agreed to a brief pause on new property procurement" in County Durham.
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The House Workplace clarified to the Monetary Instances that it, quite than the contractor, made the choice, stating: "It has been made as a result of we consider we now have enough capability in County Durham."
Reform is claiming credit score for this growth, with Grimes telling the Monetary Instances that Mears now regards County Durham as a "no-go" territory.
The councillor expressed satisfaction with the result, saying: "I've been delighted we now have been capable of take a stand so early and so they've recognised County Durham received't roll over and ask them to scratch our stomach."
Grimes outlined his issues in regards to the monetary burden on native communities, arguing that asylum seekers wouldn’t contribute to council tax revenues.
"Should you take into account County Durham, our council tax base is low and we now have a few of the lowest council tax banding within the nation and we’re seen by Westminster as acceptable for individuals who have completely no intention to work or contribute to the nation, who don't share our views, values and tradition, and we now have to take them," he stated.
He added: "They may by no means contribute to the council tax invoice. That signifies that truly areas like County Durham, as disadvantaged as we’re, have to really pay for the providers for these folks from a pot that’s extremely stretched and diminished, particularly relating to well being and social care or care for youngsters."
County Durham's asylum seeker numbers elevated dramatically following a House Workplace coverage change geared toward distributing arrivals extra evenly throughout the nation.
Between 2020 and 2023, the world accommodated simply 5 asylum seekers, however this determine surged practically 100-fold to 448 within the two years ending March, in accordance with Authorities figures.
Regardless of internet hosting half the nationwide charge of asylum seekers and containing no asylum accommodations that grew to become flashpoints for riots final summer season, Reform UK capitalised on native sentiment in final month's elections.
The celebration's success propelled them to energy in county corridor, securing a seat for Grimes.
He views this as the start of Reform's broader ambitions, stating: "That is the primary stepping stone of exhibiting what County Durham can truly be – the beacon for Reform in Authorities."