Council leader writes to Prime Minister over asylum accommodation concerns

12 October 2026

The Leader of North Northamptonshire Council has written to the Prime Minister calling for an immediate pause on any further procurement of asylum accommodation within North Northamptonshire until the Government has fully considered the impact on community cohesion, public confidence and community safety.

North Northamptonshire currently has a dispersal quota of 846 asylum bed spaces, the third highest in the East Midlands.

While the council has worked closely with the Home Office, SERCO, Northamptonshire Police and other partners since the asylum dispersal scheme was introduced, the Leader says local authorities are expected to manage the impact of decisions while having limited influence over them.

I have written to the Prime Minister to express my serious concerns about the operation of the asylum dispersal scheme in North Northamptonshire and to request an immediate pause on any further procurement of asylum accommodation in our area.

North Northamptonshire has acted responsibly throughout and has worked constructively with the Home Office and our partners. However, there is a significant disconnect between the responsibilities being placed on local authorities, the information we receive and the influence we have over decisions that directly affect our communities.Cllr Martin Griffiths, Leader of North Northamptonshire Council

The council has previously raised concerns about the concentration of asylum accommodation in parts of North Northamptonshire, particularly in Corby. Following ongoing discussions with the Home Office, a pause on further procurement in Corby was agreed at the beginning of 2026.

The Leader’s letter highlights growing concerns about the cumulative impact of the scheme on local communities and the increasing pressures placed on agencies responsible for maintaining community safety and cohesion.

Our concern is not simply about numbers. It is about the cumulative impact on communities and the ability of local agencies to maintain public confidence.

Recent events have demonstrated that tensions relating to asylum dispersal have increased significantly in our area. Communities rightly expect local leaders to know who has been placed in their area and whether any risks need to be managed.

However, we are not provided with that information, while still being expected to reassure residents and respond to concerns. That is an untenable position.Cllr Martin Griffiths

Community cohesion remains a key priority for North Northamptonshire’s Community Safety Partnership, which has been working with local organisations to strengthen community relationships and help prevent tensions from escalating.

In his letter, the Leader has asked the Government to:

• Immediately pause any further asylum accommodation procurement within North Northamptonshire.
• Undertake an urgent review of the impact current dispersal arrangements are having on community cohesion and public confidence.
• Give greater weight to representations from local authorities, police forces and Community Safety Partnerships.
• Share appropriate information with relevant agencies to ensure suitable risk management arrangements are in place.

Our residents rightly expect decisions affecting their communities to be informed by local knowledge and local accountability. At present, too many decisions are being made centrally while the consequences are being managed locally.

I am urging the Government to work with councils such as North Northamptonshire to ensure future decisions reflect local circumstances and command public confidence.Cllr Martin Griffiths