{"id":616,"date":"2026-09-28T16:02:02","date_gmt":"2026-09-28T15:02:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/housing-rights.info\/news\/?p=616"},"modified":"2026-09-28T16:02:03","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T15:02:03","slug":"news-and-comments-on-latest-policy-developments-september-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/housing-rights.info\/news\/news-and-comments-on-latest-policy-developments-september-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"News and comments on latest policy developments\u00a0\u2014 September 2026\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Prime minister pledges route off the streets for everyone sleeping rough by Christmas<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u00a0<br>Prime minister Andy Burnham has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/commentisfree\/2026\/aug\/18\/rough-sleeping-streets-christmas-local-communities\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">announced<\/a> \u00a3442 million in funding as part of his drive to offer everyone sleeping rough a route off the streets by Christmas. The approach seems to be based on the \u2018Everyone In\u2019 scheme operated during the pandemic. This included those with no recourse to public funds, appeal-rights-exhausted asylum seekers and others. Details are awaited.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Burnham <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bigissue.com\/news\/housing\/andy-burnham-rough-sleeping-interview-big-issue-35\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">told <em>The Big Issue<\/em><\/a> that the initiative is not just a \u201clittle one-off for Christmas\u201d but a permanent commitment.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Far from welcoming the pledge, Reform leader Nigel Farage <a href=\"https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/politics\/2026\/08\/19\/farage-burnhams-pledge-house-homeless-attract-more-migrants\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">said<\/a> \u201cBurnham\u2019s pledge to house homeless will attract more migrants\u201d. The message would be, he said: \u201cYou get everything free if you come by boat.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Migrant and refugee support charities, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DbBGwV_jowO\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">Praxis<\/a>, have publicly responded by stating that, if the prime minister is truly serious, his government must scrap the hostile immigration rules that push migrant families onto the street in the first place.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWomen can&#8217;t be left out in the cold if we are to end rough sleeping,\u201d Ella Tritton <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bigissue.com\/news\/housing\/women-rough-sleeping-immigration\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">told <em>The Big Issue<\/em><\/a>. She recounts the story of Miriam, who spent years living in the shadows as a woman with no recourse to public funds. \u201cWithout acknowledging the link between homelessness, immigration status and gender inequality, no government will ever succeed in ending rough sleeping,\u201d Tritton says.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During September, a <a href=\"https:\/\/solacewomensaid.org\/womens-rough-sleeping-census\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">Women\u2019s Rough Sleeping Census<\/a> is taking place across England.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Charities such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.paih.org\/what-we-do\/winter-refugee-crisis-appeal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">Positive Action in Housing<\/a> are actively focusing their winter resources on providing immediate transitional housing to keep migrants from hitting the streets.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the meantime, government guidance to local authorities on No Recourse to Public Funds <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/no-recourse-to-public-funds-guidance-for-local-authorities\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">has been updated<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Immigration and Asylum Bill moves forward<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Immigration and Asylum Bill is at <a href=\"https:\/\/bills.parliament.uk\/bills\/4254\/stages\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">committee stage<\/a> in the House of Commons. The Bill is now moving into detailed line-by-line scrutiny, with the Public Bill Committee beginning its consideration on 15 September and expected to report by 3 November. The Committee is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.parliament.uk\/business\/news\/2026\/july-2026\/immigration-and-asylum-bill-call-for-evidence\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">currently inviting written evidence<\/a>, providing an opportunity for organisations and individuals to contribute evidence directly to the scrutiny process.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Various bodies have set out their views on the Bill:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The UN High Commissioner for Refugees published its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/uk\/media\/unhcr-observations-immigration-and-asylum-bill\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">observations<\/a> on the Bill, including concerns about whether the plan to charge refugees for the asylum accommodation they received is compatible with Article 29 of the Refugee Convention\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Welsh Refugee Council outlined its <a href=\"https:\/\/wrc.wales\/6-things-parliament-can-get-right-on-the-immigration-and-asylum-bill\/?utm_source=mailerlite&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=Mon+14+Sep+2026&amp;utm_campaign=Weekly+Newsletter+-+14+09+26\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">six concerns<\/a> about the Bill, stressing that faster decisions only work if people can get legal advice, which is often difficult in Wales\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>JCWI <a href=\"https:\/\/jcwi.org.uk\/reportsbriefings\/immigration-asylum-bill-2026\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">called on MPs<\/a> to reject the Bill in its entirety\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Immigration Law Practitioners\u2019 Association\u2019s published lengthy and detailed analysis <a href=\"https:\/\/ilpa.org.uk\/immigration-and-asylum-bill-2026\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">CIH has made a submission to the Joint Committee on Human Rights\u2019 examination of the Bill, to be published in due course.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On 15 September, the Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood faced the Home Affairs Committee for an <a href=\"https:\/\/committees.parliament.uk\/event\/27650\/formal-meeting-oral-evidence-session\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">oral evidence session<\/a> on the work of the Home Office. A recording of the session can be viewed <a href=\"https:\/\/parliamentlive.tv\/event\/index\/68ce0e29-dde8-4c1c-a229-ce70f602cc7e\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>More responses to the Bill and \u2018earned settlement\u2019 proposals<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Diane Abbott MP <a href=\"https:\/\/morningstaronline.co.uk\/article\/why-we-should-oppose-immigration-and-asylum-bill\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">writes in the <em>Morning Star<\/em><\/a> on why we should oppose the Bill. She says: \u201cIt will not improve either the immigration or asylum systems in this country. Instead, it will remove people\u2019s fundamental rights, increase the demonisation of both immigrants and asylum-seekers and play into the hands of the anti-immigrant right.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Arj Singh, <a href=\"https:\/\/inews.co.uk\/news\/politics\/mahmoods-hardline-immigration-reforms-growing-rebellion-4738967\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">in <em>The i Paper<\/em><\/a>, says Mahmood\u2019s \u201chardline\u201d immigration reforms have been hit by a growing rebellion. More Labour MPs now publicly oppose the home secretary&#8217;s changes to indefinite leave to remain.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In <a href=\"https:\/\/ukandeu.ac.uk\/remigration-by-stealth-the-governments-earned-settlement-proposals\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\"><em>Remigration by stealth? The government&#8217;s earned settlement proposals<\/em><\/a>, James Bowes, of the University of Warwick, argues that proposed new settlement rules \u201c\u2026won\u2019t just affect new immigrants but will also affect over 2 million immigrants already living in the UK. These changes will force many legal immigrants to leave the country entirely\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit has <a href=\"https:\/\/eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcrm.asylummatters.org%2Fcivicrm%2Fmailing%2Furl%3Fu%3D5362%26qid%3D91651&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cjohn.perry%40cih.org%7Cfc9b69bef3844099c41008df14cd17ae%7C0000e9ea9ee347939563177e444fb497%7C0%7C0%7C639252543239701224%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=viL1iYIPIhHQNxAWhLK29Ji7b0cbgzPMvr0g3mMCRPo%3D&amp;reserved=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">published a briefing<\/a> on the proposed earned settlement system, examining its potential implications and the uncertainty it has created. It has useful information for organisations supporting people who may be affected by changes to the rules.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On 13 September, the Trade Union Congress <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ein.org.uk\/news\/tuc-congress-backs-motion-condemning-governments-earned-settlement-proposals-and-calling-their\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">voted to condemn<\/a> the proposed changes to settlement routes and demand the withdrawal of the proposals. Then <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ein.org.uk\/news\/home-secretary-tells-mp-earned-settlement-policy-will-be-set-out-later-year\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">Shabana Mahmood said\u202f<\/a>the proposals will be implemented\u202f\u201clater in the year\u201d, without mentioning any specific date.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Labour is meeting several of its pledges on migration<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <em>Migration Observatory<\/em> has <a href=\"https:\/\/migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk\/resources\/commentaries\/labours-pledges-on-migration-the-data\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">an interesting assessment<\/a> of Labour\u2019s pledges on migration, made for the 2024 election. Of six pledges, reducing net migration, work visas and small boat arrivals have all been carried out, though partly as a result of the previous government\u2019s policies. More people without legal status have been returned, and the government has cut \u2014 but not yet ended \u2014 the use of asylum hotels.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The exception to the five \u201csuccesses\u201d is the <a href=\"https:\/\/freemovement.org.uk\/asylum-appeal-backlog-coming-under-control\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">asylum appeals backlog<\/a>, now around 90,000, and at last showing signs of coming under control. <em>Free Movement<\/em> points out that this is the problem the new Bill is <em>meant<\/em> to solve.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Latest figures show falls in visas, asylum claims and small boat arrivals compared to a year earlier, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/live\/cwy74rjv7mg5t\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">reports the <em>BBC<\/em><\/a>:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Arrivals on small boats were 33,000, marking a 23% drop compared to the previous year \u2014 but still in line with the same period in 2024 and 2022\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Asylum claims were also down, with 86,000 people claiming refuge in the UK \u2014 however, the government notes they are at similar levels seen prior to 2021\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The number of asylum seekers housed in hotels was also down to 16,000, as almost every local authority area saw a drop in hotel use\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Remigration (foreign nationals leaving) is at an all-time high of 1,000 a day.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/statistics\/immigration-system-statistics-year-ending-june-2026\/summary-of-latest-statistics\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">latest immigration statistics<\/a>, released on 27 August, also showed that 40,168 people were awaiting an initial asylum decision at the end of June \u2014 56% fewer than a year earlier and the lowest level since June 2019 \u2014 while 116,000 people received an initial decision during the year.\u202fThe UK asylum backlog is <a href=\"https:\/\/fullfact.org\/immigration\/asylum-backlog\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">explained<\/a> by <em>Full Fact<\/em>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fraser Nelson, a columnist for <em>The Times<\/em>, <a href=\"https:\/\/frasernelson.substack.com\/p\/britains-secret-border-control-success\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">declaims<\/a> \u201cBritain\u2019s secret border-control success\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The government <a href=\"https:\/\/committees.parliament.uk\/work\/9508\/an-analysis-of-the-asylum-system\/publications\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">responded<\/a> to a recent Public Accounts Committee report on the asylum system.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Immigration changes are worsening the care crisis<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">New data shows the government&#8217;s immigration changes will deepen the staffing crisis in social care, <a href=\"https:\/\/unison.org.uk\/news\/2026\/08\/immigration-changes-are-worsening-care-crisis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">says UNISON<\/a>. The number of international workers recruited into care roles fell dramatically from 105,000 in 2023\/24 to 30,000 in 2025\/26. The number of care jobs filled by British workers also fell by 70,000.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The union has written to the home secretary arguing this disproves the claim that curbing overseas recruitment would increase uptake by British workers. It has called on her to <a href=\"https:\/\/inews.co.uk\/news\/politics\/crackdown-migrant-carers-must-be-scrapped-numbers-plummet-4714269\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">scrap plans<\/a> to make international care staff wait longer to settle, warning this would \u201ccause chaos and irreparable damage to a sector that needs international workers\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>UK charges three times as much as other G7 countries for citizenship<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">People applying to become British citizens are charged more than five times the amount it costs the Home Office to process their application, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ippr.org\/media-office\/home-office-charges-citizenship-applicants-more-than-five-times-processing-cost-finds-ippr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">new analysis<\/a> from IPPR.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The \u00a31,709 naturalisation fee compares with an estimated administrative cost of just \u00a3324. Applicants must also pay a further \u00a3130 for a citizenship ceremony if successful, taking the total cost of becoming a British citizen to \u00a31,839. The UK charges considerably more than other G7 countries \u2014 more than three times the next highest \u2014 the United States at \u00a3562.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">IPPR also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ippr.org\/articles\/from-strangers-to-citizens\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">published a new report<\/a>, <em>From strangers to citizens: Membership and belonging in an age of migration<\/em>, examining the citizenship issue in detail.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <em>Bureau of Investigative Journalism<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebureauinvestigates.com\/stories\/2026-09-15\/home-office-makes-5bn-a-year-from-immigration-fees-while-applicants-are-forced-into-debt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">shows<\/a> the government makes \u00a35 billion a year from immigration fees while \u201capplicants are forced into debt\u201d. Fees charged for visas, citizenship and the health surcharge far outstrip the actual cost to the Home Office.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Changes in policy on asylum accommodation?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The prime minister is \u201copen to\u201d ripping up multibillion-pound asylum hotel contracts early, <a href=\"https:\/\/inews.co.uk\/news\/politics\/burnham-open-ripping-asylum-hotel-contracts-early-4681394\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">reports <em>The i Paper<\/em><\/a><em>.<\/em> Asked if he would consider ending the contracts early and letting mayors have more influence over decisions, Burnham said: \u201cI\u2019m open to a discussion with regional mayors and I\u2019m sure the Home Secretary is, where local solutions would be better than the situation that we have at the moment.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Burnham said the current system is a \u201ctop-down process\u201d, which results in local authorities \u201cnot being adequately consulted about accommodation, not even notified sometimes\u201d. \u201cI can understand why people want to see the change,\u201d he said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Meanwhile, the government announced the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/news\/13-asylum-hotels-exited-and-returned-to-local-communities\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">closure of 13 more asylum hotels<\/a>, saving \u00a351 million. Fewer than 160 hotels are now used to house asylum seekers, down from 400 under the previous government.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ministers are also considering <a href=\"https:\/\/inews.co.uk\/news\/politics\/asylum-seekers-housed-hmos-wealthier-areas-4704144\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">raising the caps<\/a> on how much private landlords can be paid in rent so that dispersal accommodation can be spread more evenly across the UK, rather than concentrating it in the most deprived areas. Some <a href=\"https:\/\/inews.co.uk\/news\/the-cotswolds-new-forest-and-malvern-among-17-areas-with-no-asylum-seekers-4701399\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">17 local authority areas<\/a> house no asylum seekers at all.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Reform and the Conservatives say they will try to block plans to move some migrants to more expensive postcodes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Asylum seekers placed in housing that poses \u2018imminent safety risk\u2019<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Home Office and local council staff sent to inspect housing for asylum seekers and their families have found dozens of hazards so serious that they pose an \u201cimminent risk\u201d to tenants\u2019 safety, <a href=\"https:\/\/hyphenonline.com\/2026\/07\/22\/home-office-dispersal-housing-awaabs-law-category-1-asylum-seekers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">data obtained by Hyphen<\/a> reveals.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Collapsed ceilings, damp and mould-ridden homes, overcrowding, vermin infestations and excess cold are among the issues affecting people \u2014\u202fincluding children \u2014\u202fwho live in the properties, run by firms such as Serco and Clearsprings.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Furthermore, new research by Sufra and the SALIENT Consortium explores the reality of food provision in asylum hotels. Based on the experiences of\u202fasylum seekers alongside insights from frontline Sufra staff, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sufra-nwlondon.org.uk\/news-story\/new-research-the-hidden-health-crisis-in-asylum-hotels\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">the report<\/a> highlights serious concerns around diet and food access.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Separately, <em>The Guardian<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/2026\/aug\/27\/forty-children-reported-missing-uk-asylum-hotels-2023-still-not-found\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">reported<\/a> that 40 children reported missing from UK asylum hotels have still not been found (the tragedy has been covered in previous newsletters).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>More asylum news<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u201cI would rather die than return to France\u201d: Aso and Baran fled Iran, crossed the Channel together and were both returned to France. After risking their lives to reach Britain again, the friends found themselves facing very different fates, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/2026\/sep\/03\/uk-one-in-one-out-scheme-iran-friends-channel-france\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">they explain<\/a> to <em>The Guardian.<\/em>\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Writing in <em>The Guardian,<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/commentisfree\/2026\/sep\/04\/drones-teargas-riot-squads-uk-war-asylum-seekers-burnham-macron\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">Diane Taylor argues<\/a>: \u201cDrones, tear gas, riot squads: why has the UK gone to war against asylum seekers already fleeing conflict?\u201d\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Why can\u2019t the Home Office stop asylum fraud? Chris Bayliss challenges Home Office processes and legislation in <a href=\"https:\/\/unherd.com\/newsroom\/why-cant-the-home-office-stop-asylum-fraud\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">a controversial piece<\/a> for <em>UnHerd.<\/em>\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Update on the Allocation of Asylum Accommodation policy<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Following the successful challenge brought by Freedom from Torture and Helen Bamber Foundation, the Home Office has now updated the policy to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dpglaw.co.uk\/news\/home-office-restores-protections-for-vulnerable-asylum-seekers-following-successful-legal-challenge\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">restore some key protections<\/a> for survivors of torture and other highly vulnerable people seeking asylum.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In summary, in relation to the suitability of room-sharing accommodation and ex-MoD sites, the updated policy:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Restores the presumption that room-sharing accommodation and ex-MoD sites are unsuitable for survivors of torture or serious violence and individuals with serious mental health concerns\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Retains the approach for other vulnerable groups, including disabled people, elderly people (for room-sharing purposes), and those with various illnesses, whose suitability remains subject to an individual assessment of whether their needs can be met within the accommodation.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are other changes to the policy relating specifically to Freedom from Torture and Helen Bamber Foundation clients.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Communities Not Camps<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/housing-rights.info\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Housing-rights-inline-image-full-width.jpg\" alt=\"Communities Not Camps logo\" class=\"wp-image-617\" srcset=\"https:\/\/housing-rights.info\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Housing-rights-inline-image-full-width.jpg 900w, https:\/\/housing-rights.info\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Housing-rights-inline-image-full-width-767x426.jpg 767w, https:\/\/housing-rights.info\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Housing-rights-inline-image-full-width-300x167.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/actionnetwork.org\/letters\/stop-accommodation-centres\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">Action Network<\/a> says that government continues to press ahead with <a href=\"https:\/\/eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcrm.asylummatters.org%2Fcivicrm%2Fmailing%2Furl%3Fu%3D5343%26qid%3D91651&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cjohn.perry%40cih.org%7Cfc9b69bef3844099c41008df14cd17ae%7C0000e9ea9ee347939563177e444fb497%7C0%7C0%7C639252543239263488%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=%2F%2BUh8f4TJ4APZq8stp2Sb3eJ80lFhKYimFTl%2FpIkmyM%3D&amp;reserved=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">plans<\/a> for unsuitable, harmful camps which <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oxfordmail.co.uk\/news\/26554787.bicester-asylum-accommodation-plans-face-council-scrutiny\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">bypass normal planning routes<\/a>, provoke opposition to new sites around the country, while the prime minister promises to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hellorayo.co.uk\/greatest-hits\/beds-bucks-herts\/news\/buckinghamshire-mp-voices-concerns-to-pm-asylum-centre-bicester\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">look at the issue<\/a>. In Essex, the Reform-led county council has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/news\/uk\/home-news\/reform-private-security-essex-braintree-colchester-b3049839.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">allocated public money<\/a> to pay for private security guards in towns nearby the existing Wethersfield camp, whilst the Chief Constable of Essex Police <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/ckg0z4wx0yzo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">stated<\/a> \u201cthere is absolutely no reason for anyone to be concerned\u201d about crime associated with those placed there.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The camps harm people seeking safety and have become focal points for division and agitation in communities. The <a href=\"https:\/\/actionnetwork.org\/letters\/stop-accommodation-centres\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">Action Network<\/a> urges people to <a href=\"https:\/\/actionnetwork.org\/letters\/stop-accommodation-centres\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">write to their MP<\/a> to ask them to oppose the camps and house people safely in our communities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Changes to settlement policy for migrant victims of domestic abuse<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Changes to the Immigration Rules expand settlement protections for migrant victim-survivors of domestic abuse. For the first time, the policy will go beyond intimate partner relationships to include some adult children whose immigration status depends on a parent or their parent\u2019s partner.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rights of Women has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightsofwomen.org.uk\/government-amends-immigration-policy-for-victim-survivors-of-domestic-abuse\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">a four-page update and news item<\/a> on the changes.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Other news<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Windrush.<\/em> A wide-ranging group of lawyers has <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/wrqCA6whkx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">written to the government<\/a> with a range of recommendations for achieving justice for victims of the Windrush scandal.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Britain\u2019s shifting population.<\/em> A <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/bIvuvpReodg?si=tLhuMC-8gsXwFBnn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">video<\/a> explains which parts of Britain are growing and which are losing population.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Second-generation immigrants do well<\/em>. Anglosphere immigration continues to be different from immigration elsewhere \u2014 second-generation immigrants in the UK <a href=\"https:\/\/substack.com\/redirect\/24feaed0-30de-4f6f-8ee9-779d572a02db?j=eyJ1IjoiMWF2bWljIn0.jamgH3G29RYrMsedGty1Nm92UN0x3PWycrJA_AF7_Hs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">score better<\/a> than the native-born on tests (while this is not true in much of the rest of the OECD).\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Migration and housing pressures in Wales<\/em>. A <a href=\"https:\/\/research.senedd.wales\/research-articles\/migration-and-housing-pressures-in-wales\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">new research briefing<\/a> looks in detail at the effects of migration on population growth and housing demand.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Recording Immigration Status<\/em>. Is immigration status something your organisation should be recording? What issues might arise? In <a href=\"https:\/\/homeless.org.uk\/knowledge-hub\/recording-immigration-status\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">this video<\/a>, Bethan Lant from Praxis shares case studies from St Mungo\u2019s and Housing Justice to help you answer these questions.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>\u2018Understanding behaviours and expectations in the UK\u2019 guide<\/em>. Women for Refugee Women has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.refugeewomen.co.uk\/women-for-refugee-womens-statement-on-the-home-offices-understanding-behaviours-and-expectations-in-the-uk-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">several concerns<\/a> about the new Home Office guide.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>News on advice services and workshops<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Coram Children\u2019s Legal Centre offers one-off advice sessions for young people.<\/em> Advice and support covers a range of issues relating to housing. Sessions typically last between 30 minutes and an hour. If someone you are supporting is experiencing housing difficulties, you can refer them <a href=\"https:\/\/forms.cloud.microsoft\/pages\/responsepage.aspx?id=Zy16W8xtQkuYUqzDsJmeGW6qyKFpnNBOoH-kqTgx1DBUOVJVRlVFVTNaRVBHOFcwUVhYTDFURzkxNi4u&amp;route=shorturl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">through this form<\/a>.<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Coram outreach sessions<\/em>. Coram are also looking to set up in-person outreach\u202fsessions\u202fwith organisations\u202fin London that work with young people. If you or an organisation you know of might be interested, please contact <a href=\"mailto:lauryn.musgrovemccann@coramclc.org.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">lauryn.musgrovemccann@coramclc.org.uk<\/a>.\u202f\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Lift the Ban Coalition online meeting.<\/em> Lift the Ban is the campaign for asylum seekers to be allowed to work. It has an online coalition meeting on 13 October at 6pm. It will be an opportunity to share updates, hear from different perspectives on the right to work and discuss priorities for the coming months. Sign up for updates <a href=\"https:\/\/lifttheban.co.uk\/join-the-lift-the-ban-coalition\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">here<\/a>.\u202f\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Stronger Together: Inter Faith Week.<\/em><strong>\u202f<\/strong>Together With Refugees and Inter Faith Week are partnering from 8\u201315 November to celebrate the friendships and connections across faiths and communities created through refugee welcome. Organisations and communities are invited to get involved by <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1ont8d7QvPe6YBAFRfxZ27iozQXq85WcL\/edit?link_id=2&amp;can_id=160071af1470b464d13e05a07ff00e93&amp;source=email-save-the-date-stronger-together-for-inter-faith-week-8-15-november&amp;email_referrer&amp;email_subject=get-the-toolkit-stronger-together-for-inter-faith-week\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">downloading the toolkit<\/a>, which includes ideas and resources for activities such as shared meals, walks and creating a wall of connection.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Prime minister pledges route off the streets for everyone sleeping rough by Christmas\u00a0 \u00a0Prime minister Andy Burnham has announced \u00a3442 million in funding as part&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":618,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","slim_seo":{"title":"News and comments on latest policy developments\u00a0\u2014 September 2026\u00a0 - Housing Rights","description":"Prime minister pledges route off the streets for everyone sleeping rough by Christmas \u00a0 \u00a0 Prime minister Andy Burnham has announced \u00a3442 million in funding as p"},"_slim_seo_primary_term_category":9,"_slim_seo_primary_term_post_tag":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-616","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-and-guides"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/housing-rights.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/616","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/housing-rights.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/housing-rights.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/housing-rights.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/housing-rights.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=616"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/housing-rights.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/616\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":619,"href":"https:\/\/housing-rights.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/616\/revisions\/619"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/housing-rights.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/618"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/housing-rights.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=616"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/housing-rights.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=616"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/housing-rights.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=616"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}