‘One step forward and two back’ – verdict on asylum seeker policy

THE Government’s asylum seeker policy has been slammed by city councillors during the presentation of a report on the issue.

At a meeting of Newcastle City Council’s overview and scrutiny committee, councillors were handed a report from the task and finish group on housing conditions for refugees and asylum seekers in the city. The report outlined how the issue has become more pressing due to “shifts and politics in asylum law” including the war in Ukraine and the coronavirus pandemic.

The wide-ranging report set out a number of recommendations that will be presented to the council’s cabinet – and members took the opportunity to criticise existing policy on asylum seekers.

Coun Doreen Huddart, who represents the Manor Park Ward, said: “We’re dealing with a Government that said there was going to be no more migration with Brexit – but it is continuing. What do we do with this, and where do we go? International legislation says what we can do with these people. It’s a problem area. People are told they are coming to a land of milk and honey and they will come here and get a house and a job.

“One man said to me ‘your city is stupid’ – he told me he could work on cars, he was a mechanic, but he wasn’t allowed. I’ve seen much better schemes than we offer in Holland and Belgium. It’s one step forward and two steps back and it’s going to get worse.”

Coun Nicu Ion added: “In my experience as a councillor in Elswick, there is a feeling of helplessness. They felt their voice wasn’t heard.

“There wasn’t a place for them to express formally their feelings and their problems.”