Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Private Rented Sector: People Granted Asylum

Monday 13 October 2025 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • John Lamont questioned the Minister about the handling of asylum seekers, suggesting the Government had failed to control the situation.
  • The Minister responded by criticizing the previous Conservative Government for losing control of the borders and breaking down the asylum system.
  • David Simmonds highlighted the financial burden on councils due to the increase in small boat arrivals and the influx of Chagossians seeking asylum.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 John Lamont Con Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Asylum & Refugees
Context

The MP is concerned about the lack of data on the proportion of people granted asylum status living in the private rented sector. He also criticizes the government's handling of asylum seekers and border control.

Question

It is extraordinary that the Minister does not have that answer. Too many asylum seekers are arriving in our communities far too quickly because the Government have failed on their promise to smash their gangs. People have had enough, and this Labour Government do not seem to have any answers. What actions will the Minister take to support local communities and public services to deal with the growing number of asylum seekers in our communities?

Answer from The Minister for Housing and Planning (Matthew Pennycook)

I am afraid I will take no lectures from the hon. Gentleman, as it was the previous Conservative Government—in which he served as a Minister—who lost control of our borders and presided over the complete breakdown of the asylum system. This Government are restoring order to that system, speeding up decision making and reforming the appeals process to cut the asylum backlog and remove those with no right to be here at a much faster rate than the previous Government. Our country has a proud history of providing sanctuary to those fleeing persecution. Genuine asylum seekers who have been granted refugee or humanitarian protection status should be welcomed.

Not addressed: The MP's specific ask about concrete actions to support local communities was not addressed, and the Minister instead criticised the previous Conservative government for their handling of borders and asylum seekers.

How: Criticising Previous Government, Avoiding Specific Commitments

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Q2 David Simmonds Con Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner
Immigration NHS Local Government
Context

The MP is concerned about the rising costs to local authorities due to an increase in small boat arrivals and Chagossians seeking refuge. He requests details on financial support provided by the government to councils housing asylum seekers.

Question

Despite that answer, it is clear that things are getting worse. Our councils are battling with the cost of this Government’s border failures. The 22% rise in small boat arrivals, combined now with Chagossians arriving in rising numbers, throwing themselves at the mercy of our local authorities as they escape Starmer’s sell-out, is stretching council housing budgets to breaking point. The Government have refused to answer my written questions about what financial support they provide to councils housing asylum seekers and refugees who are granted asylum in their areas. Can the Minister tell the House how much of the proposed rise in council tax is for the cost of the Government’s asylum failures, and will he publish the full costs and support in the interests of transparency?

Answer from The Minister for Housing and Planning (Matthew Pennycook)

The hon. Gentleman is conflating two separate issues. Genuine asylum seekers who have been granted refugee status and who can stand on their own two feet and work will rent, in some cases in the private rented sector and in other cases in market housing. Some dispersal accommodation for those seeking asylum will, of course, be in the private rented sector, and that can add pressure to local rental markets. That is why decisions must be made in co-ordination with local authorities and taking into account local housing pressures. More importantly, that is why the reduction in hotel use needs to be proceeded with in an ordered and managed way, not the chaotic way that the Conservatives have been calling for.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP's specific ask about financial support provided by the government was not directly addressed. The Minister instead discussed coordination with local authorities and reducing hotel use.

How: Conflating Issues, Discussing Process Without Specifics

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