Express & Star

Asylum seekers in the Black Country: Wealthier areas 'should take their fair share'

Councils in the Black Country are increasingly concerned about the number of asylum seekers in our area with one leading figure saying: "It's about time wealthier areas took their fair share too."

Published

Sandwell Council has already said it will refuse to accept any Syrian refugees without assurances over funding and a change to how asylum seekers are 'dispersed' around the country.

The borough currently has the largest number of asylum seekers in the Black Country and council leader Darren Cooper says wealthier areas of the country should do their 'fair share'.

Sandwell Council leader Darren Cooper says councils need more help

He said: "This is not a case of Sandwell turning its back on desperate people.

"It is about saying to the wealthier parts of the country that they have to do their bit too, just as we have been doing with the hundreds of asylum seekers already here.

"It's also about telling the government that it has to do more to help councils to cope," Councillor Cooper added.

They are supporting Wolverhampton council leader, Councillor Roger Lawrence, who says one in three asylum seekers are being sent to the region.

Councillor Mike Bird, leader of Walsall Council, said: "Roger is absolutely right on this. It is not right that the Black Country and other parts of the West Midlands are housing more asylum seekers than other areas. How can that be fair? We have long waiting lists for housing as it is.

"If there are too many asylum seekers put in some areas all of a sudden it leads to communities feeling intimidated and can cause tensions.

"We want to see cohesive communities, and to help those who are genuinely in need of somewhere safe to live, but housing asylum seekers in large numbers in certain areas is not good for anyone."

Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of the Conservative opposition group on Dudley Council, said: "We want to see all areas take their fair share – if some areas want to take more that is up to them, but the West Midlands should not be any worse hit than elsewhere.

"Perhaps this is an issue the new West Midlands Combined Authority would be able to address."

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.