A Shropshire MP has launched a scathing attack on the Labour Government over its “secrecy” in planning to move asylum seekers into 21 new-build homes.
Speaking to GB News, Mark Pritchard revealed he was given just “hours” notice of the plans, before having to inform residents of the decision.
Locals have been left fearing for their safety as 83 asylum seekers have been earmarked for 21 smart new-build homes in Stoke Heath, worth £250,000 each.
The remote rural estate in the West Midlands currently hosts a population of less than 500 people, with residents telling GB News that the homes were originally built as “social housing” for “low-income families” in the community.
Discussing his outrage, Mr Pritchard told the People’s Channel that there has been “no consultation” or transparency with local authorities or residents.
He said: “I only had a few hours’ notice, and I went public because I think people had a right to know. It’s clear that local constituents and residents of Stoke Heath were not consulted in advance.
“It’s rather shocking that even the parish council were not consulted either.”
The Tory MP echoed the concerns of residents that the remote location is the “wrong place” for asylum seekers.
Mark Pritchard has hit out at the Government’s ‘secrecy’ after earmarking asylum seekers for a new-build estate in Shropshire
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GB NEWS
He said: “I’ve been really impressed with my constituents. They have not said ‘we don’t want foreigners here’, they’ve just said, look, they may be all genuine asylum seekers, but this is just the wrong place.
“It has no public services. The nearest bus stop, for example, for a bus if you can get one, is a 30-minute walk away. They just aren’t there. And the walk on some of the roads is a bit hazardous.”
Aiming criticism at Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, Mr Pritchard argued her call to ban asylum seekers from being housed in new-builds is simply a response to avoiding a “bad look” on her illegal migration record.
He explained: “On the Home Secretary’s comments, she said that she’s banning asylum seekers going into new-build accommodation. Well, when I asked the asylum minister earlier this week, there was no reference to that.
Plans to house asylum seekers in £250,000 new-builds in Stoke Heath has sparked backlash amongst locals
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GB NEWS
“When I had a meeting with the Home Office, albeit online because they weren’t meeting me face-to-face, there was no reference to that.
“So I think the Home Secretary might have thought ‘this is not a good look for me’ as a reshuffle coming and there’s a new Prime Minister.”
He urged Ms Mahmood to respond to his letter he has sent regarding the accommodation scheme: “What my constituents want to know is, is she serious and does it apply to this scheme? Does it apply to Stoke Heath? And if so, she needs to reply to a letter that I sent her yesterday.
“They need to make it clear that no more asylum seekers will be put in to Stoke Heath, and the ones that are already there should be relocated to somewhere where it’s more appropriate, where there are public services to support them.”
Mr Pritchard told GB News that the Government must ‘make it clear’ whether the Stoke Heath asylum scheme will be cancelled
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GB NEWS
Mr Pritchard concluded the British people are “fed up of being taken for a free ride” when it comes to illegal migration.
He made clear: “We have to provide some asylum in this country for genuine asylum seekers, but the British public are getting fed up of being taken for a free ride, being taken advantage of, and our generosity of spirit and our compassion being taken advantage of.
“And quite frankly, everybody that has written to me has been very sensible, very objective, very calm, and they’ve just said this is the wrong location.”
A Home Office spokesman told GB News: “New houses should never house asylum seekers. Earlier this year, the Home Secretary introduced robust processes to ensure new-build sites like Stoke Heath can never be considered again.”