Statement - Temporary emergency accommodation for asylum seekers in Cannock

Statement from Cannock Chase Council, Staffordshire County Council, Staffordshire Police, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, and NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent CCGs

Temporary emergency accommodation for asylum seekers in Cannock

This week a hotel in Cannock has started receiving a group of asylum seekers at the request of the Home Office. The asylum seekers are being cared for by Serco as part of an arrangement with the Home Office. 

The Home Office does not comment on numbers or detailed accommodation locations of people seeking asylum, and the protocol is that any temporary accommodation is not disclosed.

Across the county, local authorities and their partner organisations have received similar requests to find emergency accommodation for asylum seekers, many of whom have fled their own countries to escape conflict and persecution, while full assessments of their situation are carried out.

Cannock Chase Council, as the host local authority in this instance, has been preparing for their arrival with Staffordshire County Council, Staffordshire Police, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service and NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent CCGs, to manage what will be a temporary stay at the hotel. None of the asylum seekers will be housed permanently in the District.

The local authorities and our partners have a duty of care to look after the health and wellbeing of all those seeking asylum while they are in our District. This has involved the fire and rescue service visiting the premises to ensure fire and safety arrangements meet their requirements, local police officers speaking to the immediate community to provide reassurance and the NHS available to provide medical support as necessary.

We understand the issue of people seeking asylum to the UK may raise concerns. We would simply ask that the residents of Cannock Chase be kind to these visitors during their brief stay. They are here in emergency circumstances for a matter of weeks as their claims are processed by the Home Office.

Thank you