Westmorland and Furness Council has dispelled rumours of asylum hotels in South Cumbria.
A council spokesman told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “In Westmorland and Furness, accommodation for asylum seekers is arranged and managed by Serco on behalf of the Home Office.
“Since March 2024, the council is not aware of any use, or upcoming plans for use of hotels for this purpose.”
The council added 258 asylum seekers have been housed by the Home Office in Westmorland and Furness since autumn 2023.
An asylum seeker is someone who has left their home country and applied for asylum and whose application is pending a decision. If the application is successful, an asylum seeker becomes a refugee.
Asylum seekers usually leave their country of origin due to fear of persecution-based religion, sexuality, ethnicity or political leanings.
Accommodation for asylum seekers typically comes in two types: dispersal accommodation, which is typically temporary housing; and contingency accommodation, typically a hotel.
The spokesman said: “As a caring council, we are committed to supporting all asylum seekers to live and thrive in Westmorland and Furness.
They said they offered support which was flexible and respectful as it recognised that not everyone would require or wish to engage with support.
Support for asylum seekers includes weekly drop-in sessions, alongside local voluntary groups, which offered a safe and welcoming space where it helps people to access financial support funded by the Home Office, as well as healthcare, education, clothing, and any other essential needs.
The spokesman added: “We will continue working closely with our partners to ensure everyone seeking asylum has the opportunity to feel safe, supported, and part of our community.”
Earlier this month, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the Government was planning to announce a major overhaul of the current immigration and asylum system later this year.
