A High Court judge has overruled the government by halting the eviction of a refugee from his asylum accommodation in an emergency case heard in the early hours of Wednesday. Mr Justice Johnson made an order just before 2am, disapplying the Home Office policy that requires new refugees to vacate their accommodation within 28 days of being granted leave to remain.
The 28-day move-on period is controversial, as charities argue it leaves thousands of refugees at risk of street homelessness. Vulnerable groups, including pregnant women and the elderly, are exempt and given 56 days. The Home Office had launched a pilot scheme extending the period to 56 days at the end of 2024, which was hailed as a success by refugee NGOs, but reverted to 28 days in August 2025.
Natalie Hawes, a trainee solicitor at Deighton Pierce Glynn representing the 20-year-old Eritrean refugee, welcomed the interim order. She said: 'We are hoping others can now rely on this order and seek an extension of their support where they are at risk of being left street homeless.' The man was due to be evicted at 10am on Wednesday.
In a statement to the court, the Eritrean man said: 'I am very frightened that I have nowhere to go on 22 October 2025 and that I will end up on the streets in the cold and rain. The warmest clothing I own is a jumper: I own no coat, jacket or scarf.' The High Court order barred the eviction and extended the period to 56 days or required alternative accommodation.
A government spokesperson said: 'This government inherited a broken asylum and immigration system. We are taking practical steps to turn that chaos around – including doubling asylum decision-making and reducing the number of people in hotels. The 56-day move-on period remains in place for vulnerable individuals.'
