The Government has rejected the FOI request (Image: Getty)
The Home Office is facing criticism after refusing to disclose which local authorities have engaged with a government scheme linked to asylum accommodation. The department, led by Shabana Mahmood, rejected a Freedom of Information request from GB News seeking details about councils involved in a £500million fund. Officials said releasing the information could prejudice commercial interests tied to ongoing procurement.
The refusal has drawn a sharp response from Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp who described the decision as “shameful.” Responding to the request, the department said: “If we were to disclose the information to you, this would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of both the Home Office and those companies with whom the Home Office enters contracts.”
Shabana Mahmood was appointed Secretary of State for the Home Department on 5 September 2025 (Image: Getty)
The Home Office acknowledged there is a clear public interest in releasing the information, particularly amid concerns over value for money in its contracts.
It added: “We have therefore concluded that the balance of public interests identified lies in favour of maintaining the exemption.
“This is because the overall public interest lies in ensuring that the Home Office’s ability to protect its commercial competitiveness and relationships with its current service providers is not prejudiced.”
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp told GB News: “It is shameful that this Labour Government does not want the British people to find out how many council houses they are using to house illegal immigrants.
“Illegal immigrants should not be housed anywhere in this country. They should be sent home or to a safe third country.”
The Government previously said the scheme forms part of a £500 million plan to create a “more sustainable” asylum accommodation system, developed with local authorities.
The funding delivered by the Ministry of Housing in partnership with the Home Office aims to help councils provide basic, temporary housing for asylum seekers while their claims are processed, reducing reliance on hotels.
The fund aims to support local authorities to make available basic alternative accommodation so that it can be used on a temporary basis to house asylum seekers waiting for their cases to be processed. In the longer term, the Government’s ambition is that this investment will leave a lasting legacy of housing for local communities and reduce pressure on local housing markets.
Former Immigration Minister Kevin Foster told GB News: “The public has a right to know which councils are colluding with Labour ministers to give much-needed social housing to illegal migrants.
“Instead, they seek to cover it up. With local elections coming up, voters have a right to know so they can pass judgement.”
Some councils like Brighton & Hove, Hackney and Peterborough have reportedly expressed an interest in the scheme although the full number of local authorities involved remains unclear.
A Home Office spokesperson told the news outlet: “These claims are nonsense – it is standard practice to not disclose ongoing procurement, as doing so could compromise the best possible deal for the taxpayer.
“New council housing will not be used by illegal migrants under any circumstances.”
