London boroughs pledge not to make Home Office referrals under rough sleeping immigration rules

Three London boroughs have reportedly pledged not to make referrals to the Home Office under new immigration rules which would make rough sleeping grounds for refusing or cancelling a person’s leave to remain in the UK.

Haringey, Lambeth and Southwark have joined 80 homelessness organisations in standing against the changes as part of a ‘Support Don’t Deport’ campaign.

Charity Homeless Link said: “This new policy will drive people who are already vulnerable - including victims of modern slavery - away from the support they need and will hamper efforts to end rough sleeping. 

“Government guidance places some limits on when the Rules should be applied, though these limitations are far from sufficient. The Guidance also highlights the central role the Home Office wants local authorities to play in implementing the Rules – including making proactive referrals.”

Calling for the new rules to be scrapped, Homeless Link said those making the pledge were “standing for a trauma-informed, support-led homelessness system, that is trusted by everyone who needs it”.