The Home Office has reversed a temporary suspension on acquiring asylum accommodation in County Durham, determining that additional bed spaces are urgently required to satisfy demand. This move overturns a three-month moratorium on securing new accommodation which had been applauded by Durham County Council and sparked political controversy regarding the county's involvement in accommodating asylum seekers.
What has happened?
In correspondence to Durham County Council, the Home Office confirmed it had directed its accommodation provider, Mears, to resume identifying properties in County Durham. Officials stated that a review had identified a need for an extra 100 to 150 bed spaces, necessitating the resumption of procurement. This follows discussions between Home Office officials and council representatives on 24 June, during which the future of asylum accommodation in the county was examined.
Why was procurement suspended?
Last June, Mears announced it would cease purchasing new properties in County Durham for three months as there was deemed to be "sufficient capacity" to satisfy demand. The Home Office indicated the decision was uncommon and had been made due to concerns surrounding community cohesion, alongside expectations that the anticipated accommodation pipeline would adequately meet Durham's allocated Service User Demand Plan (SUDP). The department has now determined those assumptions no longer align with current demand.
Why has the Home Office reversed its position?
According to the Home Office, the review concluded County Durham now requires an additional 100 to 150 bed spaces for asylum seekers. In correspondence to the council, the department stated extra accommodation was "urgently needed". It noted that while the temporary pause had concluded, it remained dedicated to collaborating with Durham County Council and Mears to ensure local factors were considered when identifying appropriate properties. The Home Office also emphasised it had consistently clarified the pause was temporary rather than permanent.
How many asylum seekers are presently accommodated in County Durham?
The most recent Home Office data, released in December 2025, reveals 566 asylum seekers were residing in Home Office-funded accommodation throughout County Durham. These figures encompass individuals awaiting outcomes on their asylum applications who are receiving support through the national asylum accommodation system.
Why has the matter become politically divisive?
The decision has prompted condemnation from Durham County Council's Reform UK administration. Deputy council leader Darren Grimes said the announcement came as a shock to County Hall officials and accused the Government of failing to listen to local concerns. In March, he said the authority was exploring potential legal action after learning procurement would restart. Responding to the recent announcement, Cllr Grimes pledged to "be the most difficult council in England" for the Government to contend with amid continuing efforts to stop properties being purchased by developers. The county councillor has previously maintained that County Durham has been disproportionately singled out for asylum accommodation and alleged Mears had been "hoovering up" homes in some of the county's most deprived communities, including Ferryhill and Stanley.
Meanwhile, County Durham MPs assert they were also not informed about the procurement pause being lifted. In a letter to county councillor Pete Molloy, Alan Strickland MP said: "Earlier this year myself and other County Durham Labour MPs met the Home Office minister responsible for asylum, to say that any changes to asylum accommodation in our area must be paused. Following those discussions, the minister agreed our request. County Durham MPs were not informed that the Home Office had recently lifted the pause on procurement. We were not informed of that decision and the meeting on 24 June was between the Home Office and Durham County Council – Members of Parliament were not invited and were therefore not present. I will continue to represent my constituents' concerns and hold the Home Office to account."
Can asylum seekers choose where they live?
No. Under the Home Office's dispersal system, people seeking asylum cannot normally choose where they are accommodated. Since 2022, the Government has expected local authorities across the UK to accommodate asylum seekers broadly in proportion to their population size. The Home Office states that exceptions are made only in limited circumstances.
What has the Home Office said?
The department explained that the temporary pause had always been intended as a short-term measure and that concerns from local communities remained under consideration as part of its broader immigration reforms. It confirmed it would continue collaborating with Durham County Council and Mears as procurement resumes, while ensuring the county can meet its share of the national demand for asylum accommodation.
