One in 217 Rochdale residents is an asylum seeker

Photo: Journeaux

Simon Danczuk says the number of asylum seekers placed in Rochdale is putting extra strain on housing, schools, the NHS and council services

The Borough of Rochdale is one of only five regions in the country where more than one in every 300 residents is an asylum seeker.

Home Office immigration statistics show one in every 217 residents in the borough is an asylum seeker, one of the highest proportions in the country.

Middlesbrough has the highest proportion with one in every 173 residents an asylum seeker. Neighbouring Oldham also features in the top ten list with one in every 360 residents an asylum seeker.

Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk told Rochdale Online News: “The figures speak for themselves. Rochdale houses over 1,000 asylum seekers, more than the whole of the South East region put together.

“Every town and city should do its fair share when it comes to helping vulnerable people who come to the UK seeking refuge. Sadly this is not the case.

“Only 95 of the 326 local council areas currently house asylum seekers. In Rochdale this puts extra strain on housing, schools, the NHS and council services.

“It is grossly unfair for the asylum seekers who are placed in an area which is ill-equipped to support them in such large numbers.

“I have written several times to Immigration Minister James Brokenshire, raised the issue in Parliament and even grilled David Cameron on the figures at Prime Minister's Questions. Despite all this, I have yet to receive a satisfactory explanation as to why Rochdale is expected to do so much while areas in the South do nothing.

“I will continue to press on this matter until we get a new deal that is fairer for everyone.”