02 November 2001
John Ransford, the LGA's head of social affairs, told Public Finance that the root-and-branch reforms announced by Home Secretary David Blunkett on October 29 were an opportunity to relieve the pressures on councils.
Many authorities, particularly the London boroughs and those in the Southeast, have complained that they have largely been left to shoulder the financial burden of providing specialist services to refugees.
Ransford said the LGA welcomed the government's abolition of the voucher system, but they were waiting to see how much input local government would have in drawing up the new arrangements. Representatives of the LGA and the Association of London Government will meet Home Office officials next week to discuss the proposals.
Ransford said: 'The next step, and the proof of this pudding, is talking about the detail. We expect to be fully consulted on the new arrangements.'
He added: 'Can they give local authorities greater assurances about the grant system and other forms of financial support? Councils will still be responsible for providing many of the support services that asylum seekers need.'
He made his comments after Blunkett outlined his package of reforms, which will be published in a white paper early next year. From January, all asylum seekers will be given ID smart cards; and the much-criticised vouchers will be replaced with new financial support systems, as yet unspecified, by next autumn.
Accommodation centres, which refugees can leave during the day, will be opened by the end of next year on a trial basis. If these prove successful all new asylum seekers will be offered places in them, and those who refuse will receive no state aid.
Ransford said the home secretary's commitment to consult councils before moving asylum seekers to their areas was 'very significant'. He also expressed optimism that the National Asylum Support Service, the body set up to oversee the dispersal scheme, would in future work more closely with authorities at a local and regional level.
But he warned that the new arrangements would work only if the government held meaningful consultations with agencies involved in the care of refugees. 'Things won't change overnight. We have got to this point before, but the improved relations haven't led to anything.'
PFnov2001
