THE leader of Staffordshire County Council has described the dispersal of asylum seekers as a “pressing issue”.
Cllr Ian Cooper’s comments come after a resident asked him to clarify how the authority plans to tackle issues around immigration following their election win in May.
Robert Duncan wrote to him outlining how “illegal immigration played a significant role in rallying support” for Reform UK and asking for “concrete information” about the new on the administration’s approach to the issue.
He added:
“How do you plan to collaborate with national immigration authorities and local law enforcement to ensure that all residents feel secure and that our community’s integrity is duly maintained?
“As local government leaders, you hold the profound responsibility of striking a delicate balance between safeguarding our borders and upholding the rights and dignity of all individuals.
“It would be most reassuring to know that the policies being pursued are based on a thorough assessment of both local needs and the broader national legal framework.”
Cllr Cooper’s written response said that while control of the borders was a national issue, the impact was being felt locally.
He said:
“We have a long history of supporting those in need. However, the continuing challenge to hard-pressed local authorities is in how that help is found and provided.
“The most pressing issue is the dispersal of asylum seekers. Serco houses asylum seekers directly into our communities on behalf of the Home Office, bypassing input from the county council and the local borough or district councils.
“Although their accommodation is funded externally, the issues of healthcare, community support and the knock-on effect on reduced availability of accommodation within an area fall on us locally to deal with.
“The Staffordshire Leaders’ Board has previously identified asylum dispersal as a priority issue. I aim to reignite that commitment so that Staffordshire’s voice is loud and clear in lobbying government for the necessary change and support.”
Cllr Cooper was also quizzed on immigration actions at the first full council meeting under the new Reform UK administration.
In a written question, Cllr Ann Edgeller said:
“Immigration played a major role in Reform’s campaign. With this in mind and knowing the only small boats coming into Staffordshire are canal boats, putting a halt to immigration is within the Government’s remit to resolve.
“What action is this council going to take to fulfil the election pledge you made to the people of Staffordshire to reduce the level of immigration?”
Cllr Cooper said:
“Clearly the question shows no regard or understanding of the issues and concerns which are felt across Staffordshire.
“Those living in leafy rural parts of the county are unaffected yet by mass uncontrolled migration – one of the reasons why the Conservatives are seen as out of touch and don’t represent the majority.
“Reform UK are opposed to illegal migration into the UK along with controlling the numbers of legal migrants. I would ask the councillor to be clear in which group she is referring to as these are two very different groups of people – I would suggest she re-drafts her question for another occasion.
“However, I don’t think the Conservatives are in any position to criticise, bearing in mind that immigration to the UK rose from over 250,000 net per year in 2019 under Boris Johnson to just under one million in 2023-2024 alone in the year prior to them leaving office.”
