A vital advice service for asylum seekers in Wrexham has been cut by the Government despite Home Office policy meaning they are homed in the town.
Wrexham is a “dispersal area” in Wales for asylum seekers, which means that a number of properties are operated in the area for the purpose of homing people while their asylum claims are assessed. Yet despite the Home Office running these properties, a long-running advice service in the town has had support withdrawn by Ministers – who have replaced it with a telephone helpline instead.
Wrexham MP Ian Lucas raised the issue with Ministers in the Houses of Parliament yesterday after having been contacted by concerned groups who work with asylum seekers in Wrexham.
He said: “If the Home Office is truly committed to the welfare of asylum seekers, why have the Government this very month withdrawn face-to-face advice for asylum seekers in Wrexham, a dispersal centre, through the awarding of the contract to Migrant Help? What kind of message does that send to these vulnerable people?”
In reply, Immigration Minister James Brokenshire said:
“Yes, we have changed the arrangements for support and guidance, but we continue to maintain that that provides appropriate support and help. I appreciate that the hon. Gentleman might take a different view of the services given, but, on Migrant Help, I believe that our relationship with the voluntary sector continues to be important. We want to continue to work with the voluntary sector, and the new service model, which is being introduced from 1 April, is aimed at testing the marketplace and gaining value for money. UK Visas and Immigration will closely monitor development to ensure a smooth transition to the new arrangements and we are committed to ensuring that asylum seekers have access to quality advice and support.”
Mr Lucas said:
“People who are seeking asylum are vulnerable and it is important for all of us that they are dealt with fairly, reasonably and quickly. The advice services which existed in Wrexham provided face-to-face, personal help – they have been axed and replaced with what is, essentially, a telephone service covering the whole of the UK.
“This change will end up causing more problems than it solves.”
