STOP SENDING US ASYLUM SEEKERS - WE CAN'T EVEN HOUSE OUR OWN

BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATIVES CITE 'APPALLING INCIDENTS' IN LETTER TO THE GOVERNMENT

- JANE HAYNES News Reporter

BIRMINGHAM'S opposition Conservative group is pressing the Home Office to stop sending asylum seekers to the city, claiming the city is "full".

They say they should be housed elsewhere, including offshore.

In a letter to the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, they also claim the presence of asylum seekers in hotels and other properties in the city is linked to "a series of crimes and appalling incidents," though were unable to provide any specific examples.

The councillors maintain the majority of the city's residents want rid of asylum seekers and it is of "grave concern" to many.

They also claim the presence of asylum seekers is causing a rise in community tensions and triggering fear and intimidation.

"We see and hear it in our communities across the city," said Cllr Bruce Lines, the Conservative group's housing and homelessness spokesman, who represents Bartley Green.

"People feel intimidated by groups of young men hanging around together and there are concerns for women and girls," he said.

"We don't know where they are from or their intentions and that is worrying for people."

The latest Home Office data shows there were 1,018 asylum seekers living in Birmingham hotels as of March 2025, and another 1,354 in dispersed accommodation including homes and hostels in the city.