David Blunkett's asylum amnesty deadline is 24 April. By that time, as the home secretary promised on 24 October 2003, the process of assessing the needs of all 15,000 families should be complete and they should have been given National Insurance numbers and benefits, if entitled. But, as Housing Today revealed in December, six weeks into the process just 1% of those granted amnesty had been contacted – not a good sign.
The controversial Asylum Bill will continue to ruffle feathers this year as it makes its way through parliament, carrying proposals to strip failed asylum seekers who refuse to leave the country of all benefits – and possibly even take their children into care. Critics are prepared to take the government to court but Blunkett has said repeatedly that he will not budge.
Homless families
Councils have until 1 April to get homeless families with children out of bed-and-breakfast accommodation. Both the government and Shelter reckon the councils are on course to meet the target, unless the asylum seekers mentioned above get in the way. Even if the target is met, some worry that a growing number of teenagers and single people will move into the bed and breakfasts vacated by the families.
Source
Housing Today
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