Yesterday afternoon, the Home Office published
guidance on their website setting out how to implement new
immigration rules which mean that non-UK nationals sleeping rough
may have their permission to remain in the UK refused or
cancelled. This will leave people with no legal status to live
here facing destitution and, if they do not to leave the UK
voluntarily, then the Home Office can enforce their removal from
the country.
These immigration rules were first announced in
October last year and were set to come into force from December
but, without guidance in place, the policy has not been put into
practice until now.
The guidance outlines that the policy should only be
used in cases where someone has refused or disengaged with
support and is engaged in persistent anti-social behaviour or
other criminal activity.
In response, Jon Sparkes, Chief Executive of
Crisis said: “Everyone in our society should have a safe
place to live and shouldn’t face punishment for experiencing
homelessness. This policy completely goes against this – it is
inhumane and its mere existence will make non-UK nationals in
vulnerable circumstances fearful of asking for the support they
need to help them off the streets. To be clear, we do not accept
this policy and urge authorities not to use these powers in any
circumstances.
“We know that the avenues of support outlined in the
guidance, such as specialist immigration advice, are already in
very short supply in many areas across the country. The guidance
itself acknowledges how few support options are available for
people in this situation and we know from our own services that
this leaves people trapped sleeping rough with no way
out.
“We urgently need to see a clear, national strategy
from the Government to end rough sleeping and homelessness. The
focus must be on providing the right support for people on our
streets – this means a safe place to stay, immigration advice and
employment support so that everyone can leave homelessness behind
for good.”
