𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Wealthier areas of the UK should house more asylum seekers, Andy Burnham has suggested. “We cannot have a situation where it’s only the poorest communities in the country that receive all of the dispersal of refugees and asylum seekers,” the Prime Minister said on Tuesday (August 11).

His comments came in response to a question about protests which have taken place in the village of Piddington, Oxfordshire, over plans to provide accommodation for asylum seekers on a nearby former military base. It comes as Home Office figures show that in the last three days, 911 people have made the perilous journey across the Channel, including 230 in a single mega boat on Monday. A total of 3,003 migrants have arrived in Britain since Mr Burnham became Prime Minister 22 days ago.

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Mr Burnham said: “I will listen to what people are saying and respond to the concerns that they are putting forward. I don’t know the issue yet in detail, but in some ways, as I understand it, it is about creating secure space.”

He added: “It’s obviously going to be challenging, but I am prepared always to listen to people, to work with people, and to pick up legitimate concerns, and I will address those concerns.

“I do have to say, we cannot have a situation where it’s only the poorest communities in the country that receive all of the dispersal of refugees and asylum seekers. I do believe all parts of the country need to work, to play their part.

“We understand people’s concerns and I will look into the issues raised by the good people of Piddington.”

However, shadow home secretary Chris Philp hit back at Mr Burnham’s comments, saying: “We shouldn’t be housing illegal immigrants anywhere – wealthy or not.”