Like all other parts of the country, Shropshire has a part to play in supporting the dispersal of asylum seekers arriving in the UK and the country’s obligations to those seeking asylum. All local authorities are involved in this response.

Shropshire Council has had no direct involvement in the decision of where asylum seekers are put up in the county or in what numbers.

This is a decision of the Home Office and its contractors Serco.

The council has been informed that a decision has now been taken by the Home Office to increase the numbers of asylum seekers currently accommodated at a Shrewsbury hotel from 67 to 186.

We do not know when this will happen nor the age, gender or nationality of any new arrivals.

However, we do have serious concerns about the hotel’s capacity to accommodate such an increase, as well as any additional pressure this may bring to bear on local services for which we receive no additional funding.

The council’s environmental health team visited the hotel yesterday and we believe the maximum limit for the hotel is a significantly lower number of guests. The council is communicating this to the Home Office and asking them to clarify how they have arrived at the numbers they are suggesting.

In the meantime, we will continue to ensure that everyone involved in accommodating asylum seekers in Shropshire is doing so correctly and complies with agreed standards, and that when individuals are accommodated, this happens in as safe and well managed way as possible for everyone involved including the local community.

While we are not happy with this decision to increase the numbers of people in this hotel, we will be seeking confirmation from the Home Office’s contractors and the hotel’s management that they will be taking action to comply with all the necessary planning and licencing requirements. Outside of this, the council has no further powers. However, we all have a role to play in doing all we can to make Shropshire a safe and peaceful place for everyone who lives here.

Our FAQs on asylum seekers explain the very limited role that the council has.

If you have any questions about the provision of hotels, please contact the Home Office public.enquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk