Asylum seekers left distraught after Home Office ‘forced relocation’, church says

Asylum seekers living in west London have been left “distraught” after a “forced relocation” by the Home Office saw some moved into hotels in Kent.

Dozens of people seeking asylum in the UK - from countries including Honduras, Turkey, Russia and Eritrea - had been settled in East Acton since February 2022.

But in a “traumatic” move last week the group was forcibly relocated from the area, where they were living in self-catering residences and being supported by a local church group.

A Home Office spokesperson said they could not comment on individual cases but that all accommodation was provided on a “no-choice basis”.

It comes amid controversy over the UK’s treatment of migrants and refugees, with home secretary Suella Braverman under fire for comments likening immigration to an “invasion” and facing criticism for failing to authorise moving people to hotels from overcrowded sites.

Conditions at Manston detention centre, in Kent, sparked outcry, with reports children and pregnant women are sleeping for weeks on mats amid scabies and diphtheria outbreaks.

Volunteers with community charity Ealing and Acton Support Enterprise (EASE) ran a drop-in space at St Dunstan’s Church, offering hot meals, English lessons and conversation, children’s games and activities and gave families food parcels, nappies and baby formula.

Now senior west London church figures have condemned the move as “distressing” and “traumatic”, with concerns raised over the lack of notice for families and children’s schools.

Reverend Jon Westall, St Dunstan’s vicar, said: “It was a real shock when we discovered they were being relocated from their home for the last year, with only two weeks’ notice.

“Some only found out where they were going on the day they were moved. People were distraught.”

He told LondonWorld he believed the contract with the Acton accommodation had expired, and said: “Three coaches came and moved predominantly families.

“At least 100 people were moved and some had hospital appointments arranged which they had to cancel - and some are now trying to find new school places.

“Everyone is awaiting a decision on whether they will be granted asylum. For some, the hostel in Acton was the third or fourth place they’ve been housed in the UK.

“Some have been here for years… after 10 months in one place feeling settled and making friends, they were distraught.”

Bishop of Willesden, Right Reverend Lusa Nsenga-Ngoy, added: “The forced relocation of this group of asylum seekers with such little notice is very distressing and traumatic.

“Children have had to suddenly move schools and adults have been forced to leave communities in which they had a deep sense of belonging.”

A spokesperson for the Diocese of London said: “St Dunstan’s Church has played an important role in integrating these families into the local community and supporting them as they adapt to life in the UK.

“EASE has helped the group further integrate into the neighbourhood. Some have started worshipping with the church as well as joining youth activities and Christian basics courses.”

And they said the sudden move raised “concerns over the lack of information and notice given to children and families who had spent the last ten months in this community.”

Charities including West London Welcome, Care for Calais, The Felix Project and City Harvest have also been supporting the group in west London.

Revd Westall added: “Since their arrival, EASE has tried to offer a welcome to our new neighbours seeking asylum in this country.

“The church’s task has always been to treat other people as we would like to be treated and this has been our aim with our new neighbours.

“I have been able to visit some of our new friends since their forced relocation. My thoughts and prayers are with them at this very challenging time.”

Rt Revd Nsenga-Ngoy added: “The work being done by St Dunstan’s Church and the whole of this community to support this group of sanctuary seekers has been magnificent.

“I had the privilege of meeting some of them earlier this year when I visited. I was particularly moved by their stories of hope, faith, and friendship amidst unimaginable struggles.”

A Home Office spokesperson said: “The number of people arriving in the UK who require accommodation has reached record levels and has put our asylum system under incredible strain.

“Despite this, we continue to provide asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute with accommodation on a no-choice basis across the United Kingdom.

“All accommodation is safe, secure and appropriate for an individual’s needs, including three meals a day for those in hotels.”