Calls for Home Office to pause evictions during severe weather protocols

The London Assembly has today called on the Mayor to continue to lobby the Home Office to reintroduce an immediate pause on evictions whilst Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) is in place.

It has also called on the Home Office to ensure no asylum seeker is evicted during SWEP and to extend the notice to quit period to 56 days in line with evidence from the Government’s Homelessness Reduction Act.

London Councils data shows that in October 2023, 846 homelessness presentations were made from refugee and asylum seekers evicted from Home Office accommodation, an increase of 39% on figures from September 2023.

The current notice to quit period of 28 days does not allow refugees awarded leave to remain enough time to find a safe home, apply for a job or access Universal Credit.

Sem Moema AM, who proposed the motion, said:

“Refugees contribute significantly to our community – and deserve to be treated with justice and compassion.

"It is deeply concerning that, despite the freezing temperatures and the activation of the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol, the Home Office persists in evicting asylum seekers granted refugee status – leaving almost 850 refugees homeless in October.

“I’d like to praise support services and councils for aiding refugees to find housing and stability – and doing so in the face of rising homelessness.

"We must lobby the Home Office to commit to ensuring no asylum seeker is evicted during periods of extremely cold weather."

The full text of the amended motion is:

This Assembly notes: that despite freezing temperatures in London and the activation of the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP), the Home Office has resumed practices of evicting asylum seekers once granted refugee status.

This Assembly notes that evictions have been made regardless of a letter sent by the Home Office in December 2023 confirming that they would halt evictions from asylum accommodations for up to three days whilst SWEP is active.

The Assembly praises the important role being played by support services, including those funded by the Mayor, and the role of local councils in providing emergency accommodation for those left homeless by Home Office actions. However, this Assembly recognises the increasing strain placed on organisations and highlights that despite best efforts services cannot keep up with rising demand.

This Assembly highlights this issue does not solely relate to periods of sub-zero temperatures, but that the Home Office’s eviction process has led to a significant increase in refugees and asylum seekers appearing as street homeless over recent months.

London Councils data shows that in October 2023, 846 homelessness presentations were made from refugee and asylum seekers evicted from Home Office accommodation, an increase of 39% on figures from September 2023.

This Assembly notes the important contribution played by refugees to life in our city and recognises the need to ensure adequate support is provided to allow successful asylum applicants to start their new lives in our country with dignity and the fair chance they deserve.

The Assembly notes that the current notice to quit period of 28 days does not allow refugees awarded leave to remain enough time to find a safe home, apply for a job or access Universal Credit.

This Assembly calls on:

• The Mayor to continue to lobby the Home Office to reintroduce an immediate pause on evictions whilst Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) is in place and commit to ensuring no asylum seeker is evicted during periods when SWEP is active.

The Mayor and Assembly to continue to lobby the Home Office to extend the notice to quit period to 56 days in line with evidence from the Government’s Homelessness Reduction Act to prevent destitution and homelessness amongst newly arrived refugees.