We inherited a broken asylum system after the years of chaos & decline under the Tories, who five years ago contracted 400 hotels across the country including our own Victoria Hotel (former Bower) in Chadderton.
In fact it was the now Reform MP, then Conservative Home Office minister Robert Jenrick who expanded its use from 80 to 120 occupants.
Oldham has always played its part, for instance with 680 asylum seekers in dispersed accommodation (houses) in addition to the use of hotels, but it’s a fact the borough has taken far more of a share than other areas due to historically lower housing costs, and it needs to be much more equitable going forward.
The government confirmed again the Victoria Hotel’s use as dispersal accommodation will end and I’ll be keeping on the pressure for it to happen sooner than later, and that it doesn’t then just add further pressure onto family homes being taken by Serco, adding to the temporary accommodation demand as families find it harder to secure an affordable rented property.
It will take time to fix the mess inherited but the public want an approach which is firm, and that means stopping illegal immigration such as small boats, abuse of visa schemes or overstayers. And they want fairness and for everyone to play by the rules, and for the rules themselves to put the collective good first.
Oldham has shown time and time again its support and compassion and that trust must be respected and not eroded.
Jim McMahon OBE MP 