Rachel has condemned fake social media posts circulating online that falsely claim asylum accommodation for 150 people is being planned in Atherstone. In a letter to Atherstone Town Council she said:
Dear Cllr Chambers
Re: Social media misinformation about asylum seeker accommodation in Atherstone
I know there have been concerns raised about posts that have been circulating on social media suggesting that Atherstone Town Council is participating in an alleged scheme to house 150 asylum seekers in Atherstone.
I want to state unequivocally that these posts are fabricated images and that there is no truth to the claims being made in them. As you know, Atherstone Town Council plays no role in asylum seeker accommodation and no such scheme exists – with or without the town council’s involvement.
A building change of use requires planning permission, and members of the public are able to check this on North Warwickshire Borough Council’s website. No such requests for a scheme of this size in our area have been submitted.
As an MP, I want to play my role in tackling social media misinformation that spreads fear and mistrust in our communities, so I hope this letter will assist you in rebutting these false claims. I will also be sharing this letter on my Facebook page and in local groups to provide people with reassurance.
I recognise broader public concern about asylum seeker accommodation and the dysfunctional asylum system Labour inherited from the previous government. I therefore welcome the progress that has been made since 2024 to tackle this issue, including:
- We have cut the number of illegal migrants crossing the channel by 44% this year, to its lowest level in six years. This has been achieved through a serious and sustained focus on targeting and disrupting the smuggling gangs, including a 55% increase in arrests, the seizure of boats, and a strengthened partnership with the French government that has seen thousands of illegal journeys prevented.
- We have cut the number of asylum hotels from their peak of 400 to less than 160 today, with 40 further closures having taken place since April this year. This year’s closures alone have saved the taxpayer £224 million. There are no asylum seeker hotels in North Warwickshire and Bedworth, and the government is committed to having closed all asylum hotels across the country by the next election.
- Asylum seekers are being moved out of communities and into out-of-town military sites, which are cheaper to run and more appropriate. In total, we have saved the taxpayer more than £1.24 billion in asylum accommodation costs since the 2024 general election.
- More than 70,000 migrants with no right to remain in the UK have been removed since the last election, with deportations at an eight year high. This includes the removal of 10,000 foreign criminals – an increase of 36% compared to the same period before the last election.
- Through a serious and sustained programme of improvement at the Home Office we have cut the backlog of asylum seekers waiting for a decision on their claim from a peak of 175,000 pending cases in 2023 to just 40,000 today, enabling quicker decisions and the speedier removal of those without a claim.
Securing our borders, restoring control, and ensuring we have an asylum system that is firm but fair is one of my highest priorities as an MP, and I strongly welcome the important progress that is being made to achieve this.
I hope this letter provides you with the reassurance you need, and will assist you in tackling the social media misinformation that is undermining community cohesion and spreading fear and mistrust.
Yours sincerely,
Rachel Taylor MP