The Government has temporarily extended the ‘move on’ period – the time between an asylum seeker receiving a decision on their application and having to leave Home Office-funded accommodation – from 28 days to 56 days.
Last September, in an LGA survey, nine in 10 councils said that an extension to the ‘move on’ period would be the most effective way to reduce costs and impacts associated with the Home Office’s asylum backlog clearance programme, with 84 per cent favouring an extension to 56 days, in line with the Homelessness Reduction Act.
Cllr Louise Gittins, LGA Chair, said: “This temporary extension of the ‘move on’ period, something the LGA has long called for, is positive news for councils, communities, and people seeking asylum.
“We are keen to work with government to ensure the new process is clear for both councils and those receiving a decision on their asylum claim, and on how the impacts of the change will be monitored and evaluated to support a permanent extension to the period being 56 days.”