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Asylum: Housing

Asked by Rupert LoweRestore BritainHome OfficeTabled Answered 16 June 2026UIN 7707

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the average time taken is from initial engagement with a local authority to final approval of asylum accommodation placements in that authority’s area, broken down by local authority.

Answered by Alex Norris

Local authorities are consulted prior to any accommodation being procured and have the opportunity to submit objections to any proposed procurement. If the provider does not agree with the objections provided by the local authority, this is referred to the Home Office for adjudication, the Home Office have a 5 working day service level agreement to assess the objection reasons and responded to the local authority and the provider.

Where there is substantive and reliable evidence that procurement would not be suitable, then it will not proceed.

For the safety of asylum seekers and staff, we do not publicly comment on individual sites which may or may not be utilised.

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