Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council’s leader speaks on asylum seekers
Cllr Simon Tagg issued a statement on asylum seekers being places in unsuitable accommodation
Last updated 21st Aug 2025
Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council’s leader has commented on the issue of asylum seekers being placed in unsuitable accommodation.
As well as reiterating the authority’s long-standing concerns on the issue, Cllr Simon Tagg has asked the town’s MP to press his Government’s ministers for better implementation of support for those in genuine need and a recognition of local pressures and risks undermining community cohesion.
The Leader spoke out after the High Court granted Epping Forest District Council a temporary injunction to stop 140 asylum seekers living at a hotel in the area.
Simon Tagg said:
“There are no hotels in the borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme currently being used for this purpose, however we are monitoring developments in the wake of the Epping Forest ruling.
“We continue to have concerns around placements into other types of unsuitable accommodation including Houses of Multiple Occupation and short-term lets, often in areas without the necessary support infrastructure.
“I have been in discussions with other councils in Staffordshire including the county council for some time about this issue, and the impact on the local community and social cohesion.
“I recently raised these issues with the new Leader of Staffordshire County Council to continue making a united approach to central Government.”
The authority is already reviewing the legal position concerning houses of multiple occupancy.