Linton on Ouse: ‘No final decision has been made’ on whether to open new center for asylum seekers, Home Office admits Yorkshire News

The processing center in Linton-on-Ouse was expected to operate from today, however a Home Office letter seen by the Yorkshire Post states that “analysis and consideration of whether or not to accommodate applicants for asylum at RAF Linton is ongoing”. .

Proposals to house asylum seekers at the site, announced last month, have sparked community outrage and widespread calls for ministers to reconsider their decisions.

The note, signed by a senior official, reads: “I can confirm that ministers have not made a final decision to accommodate asylum seekers at RAF Linton.

“I can confirm that where there are obligations related to consultation with the Council, the community and other stakeholders, they will be met.”

It adds: “Analysis and consideration of whether or not to accommodate asylum seekers at RAF Linton is ongoing.”

Last night, the Ministry of the Interior did not deny that the plans have not yet been sealed.

A Home Office statement said: “As we continue to work on the plan for the asylum reception center in Linton-on-Ouse, which will be as self-sufficient as possible, we continue to listen to community feedback.

“We contend the site is urgently needed to provide essential asylum accommodation and we will help end the use of asylum seekers in hotels costing the taxpayer almost £5m a day.”

The local parliamentarian welcomed the delay, but said the process has not been “well managed” at all times.

Kevin Hollinrake previously told The Yorkshire Post that he had been told to expect 60 asylum seekers at the site from today, but had raised the issue with the Prime Minister last week, who promised to “look at it again”.

After learning of the letter, Mr. Hollinrake said last night: “The inference is that they are still thinking about whether this is the right place to go, so on that basis.

“So, on that basis, I’m hopeful that they might be thinking again. in the 1922 [Committee of backbench MPs] last week I asked the Prime Minister about it and he said he would look at it again.

“So both the letter and their words imply that they are reconsidering not only how they do this, but if they do it, and that is absolutely the right thing to do.”

Asked how he felt about the last-minute change in management, Mr Hollinrake added: “To be fair, it hasn’t been handled well at all times, I’ve been clear about that. But what we’ve said all along is that we want the Home Office to reconsider, there are apparent signs that they are willing to reconsider and we should welcome that.”

Speaking in the House of Commons last week, Hollinrake accused the Home Office of treating villagers like “lambs sacrificed to a national policy”.