Manchester becomes 11th Council to recognise plight of people forced into poverty and homelessness after fleeing persecution

Manchester Council has voted unanimously in favour of a motion recognising the plight of people who have come to this country to seek safety, only to find themselves forced into poverty and homelessness.

“Destitution is a huge problem amongst asylum seekers, one that allows them to be pushed to the margins of society, left waiting sometimes for years for the outcome of their asylum claim and unable to seek employment or establish a home” said Labour Cllr Suzanne Richards, who seconded the motion. “It is fundamentally wrong to tell someone who has come to this country seeking asylum from persecution that they are not entitled to participate in our society,” she said, adding “We need change at a national level.”

The motion raises concerns about Home Office decision making and the pervasive culture of disbelief towards those who apply for refugee protection – especially noticeable in the treatment of LGBT people who have fled persecution in countries like Uganda and Nigeria. Councillors also raised concerns about the effects of poverty and homelessness on the wellbeing and dignity of people who have come here to seek safety and had their cases refused.

Alimatu, whose story was heard by Councillors - one of an estimated 2,000 destitute asylum seekers and refugees in Greater Manchester according to research by the British Red Cross and the Boaz Trust - said: “destitution makes me feel bad, my life is useless”. Almost half of those surveyed in the research had been destitute for at least two years, and shockingly, approximately one in ten had been destitute for 10 years or more.