Lee Anderson demands that Serco confirm they are not using properties in Ashfield for asylum seeker accommodation.

The policies used by companies like Serco are leaving Ashfield residents homeless.

Ashfield's Reform UK MP Lee Anderson has written to Serco, asking them to categorically state they are not co-operating with landlords to evict British tenants and house any illegal migrants claiming to be asylum seekers in Ashfield.

Read my letter below.

Lee Anderson MP's letter to Serco

"Dear Sir or Madam,

RE: Serco Asylum Seeker Accommodation

I am writing to outline my absolute disgust about the policies and actions of Serco with relation to the housing of illegal migrants who are claiming to be asylum seekers.

We all know that Serco are offering landlords exuberant levels of money to lease their private rental houses in Ashfield other areas in the UK. This is not restricted to empty properties, as landlords who's housing already has sitting tenants are being approached and being offered above market value rent for 5 years, which includes maintenance costs, to lease their property.

This policy, which is being used by companies such as Serco, is making Ashfield residents homeless. One property utilised for this purpose meant that all tenants were removed – including 2 nurses who work at the local hospital. These hard-working residents then faced homelessness. These illegal migrants claiming to be asylum seekers were then moved into this property.

I also know for a fact that some of the illegal migrants claiming to be asylum seekers who have been placed in HMOs in Ashfield have gone on to commit crimes. I find this utterly abhorrent and downright indefensible. On the Serco webpage titled ‘Asylum accommodation and support services’ you proudly announce you have “provided housing and support for asylum seekers in the community in the UK since 2012, ensuring safety and respect to some of the most vulnerable people”. It would be nice if you could show the same level of care for the safety and respect of the ordinary British people who you are forcing to live next door to unchecked, unvetted men. Do you not care about their safety?

The fact illegal migrants claiming to be asylum seekers are essentially able to turn up in Britain, often by boat, and within weeks be placed into a house at the expense of, or in the place of, British people is disgusting.

These actions are contributing to a rent crisis. Availability of cheaper housing stock is continually depleting, and rents are reaching breaking point. Can you confirm why Serco finds it acceptable to force British citizens to pay increased rents to fund the dispersal of potentially dangerous asylum seekers into private rental housing?

British people are finding it increasingly hard to find the money to afford a roof over their head, and your company is enabling this. My inbox is inundated with emails from local people now facing homelessness.

Landlords are making an absolute fortune leasing their properties to you and this shameful government is providing yet more financial incentives for landlords to continue this scandalous situation. Quite frankly you are profiteering from the disgusting trade of human trafficking, and putting British men, women and children at immense risk in the process.

I will put this bluntly: this policy has enabled the housing of a sexual criminal in my constituency and forced ordinary British people to pay for it, and Ashfield is not alone in this. This situation shames our entire nation.

I note that the Chief Executive of Serco is paid a base salary of over £800,000 a year. £800,000 a year to lead a company that thinks it’s acceptable to co-operate with landlords to evict British tenants from their homes and replace them with asylum seekers, some of whom go on to commit awful crimes.

Can you categorically state that you are not using any properties within Ashfield for this purpose?

Can you categorically state that Serco is not approaching landlords to use their properties for this purpose?

If you cannot refute the above 2 questions, can you explain to me why you think that this is an acceptable course of action by your company?

Could you please advise me what to say to my constituents who have been victims of crime from illegal migrants claiming to be asylum seekers living in your accommodation, and could also advise on what advice I should give to women and girls who are too scared to walk past your properties?

I will be clear; I do not want any accommodation in Ashfield being used for this purpose.

Please consider these policies as actions have consequences. Companies such as Serco take the profits; my residents suffer the risks.

Yours faithfully,

Lee Anderson MP

Member of Parliament for Ashfield"