"We continue to stress to government that the Home Office must work much more closely with councils regarding asylum accommodation decisions and on improving the current asylum system in the long-term."
Cllr Louise Gittins, Chair of the Local Government Association, which represents councils across England and Wales, said:
“We are taking stock of the temporary injunction from the High Court and will be convening meetings with the Home Office, MHCLG and other partners, including the National Police Chiefs’ Council, to understand how best to support our councils following the decision.
"It will, of course, be for individual councils to determine what this ruling means for them. We know that asylum and resettlement is linked to wider issues such as housing pressures and community cohesion and that the spread of misinformation remains a concern. Councils are working to help keep communities united during this period.
“In the meantime, we continue to stress to government that the Home Office must work much more closely with councils regarding asylum accommodation decisions and on improving the current asylum system in the long-term. Councils understand their places and communities best and the Home Office should be drawing on this experience in any locating decisions and through the existing engagement around asylum and resettlement that the LGA facilitates.”
Ends