The new Reform-led administration at Sandwell Council has voted to revoke the borough's 'Borough of Sanctuary' designation, a move opponents have branded 'calculated nastiness' that will do nothing to alleviate the area's housing pressures.
Granted in 2023, the status was intended to make Sandwell a 'welcoming place of safety' for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. But Reform council leader Ray Nock argued the borough did not need validation from 'external labels' and pointed to the overwhelming housing waiting list as justification for scrapping the policy.
Council leader cites housing crisis
Cllr Nock said: 'We inherited a housing waiting list that measured in the tens of thousands, with some poor souls waiting on the list in excess of ten or more years to get a property.' He insisted the decision was about prioritising local residents and tackling the housing emergency.
However, opposition councillors challenged the logic. Labour's Paul Moore stated the sanctuary status was 'inconsequential' to housing allocations, arguing it had no bearing on who gets a council home.
Accusations of deflection and nastiness
Green Party councillor John Tipper went further, branding the move 'calculated nastiness' and accusing Reform of using 'deflection techniques' to avoid addressing the root causes of the housing shortage. He argued that the crisis stems from the sale of council houses under Margaret Thatcher's right-to-buy policy, not from 'people from Eritrea, Pakistan, Iraq or Hong Kong seeking sanctuary.'
Shari Brown of Birmingham City of Sanctuary reinforced the point, saying withdrawing from such schemes 'does not free up resources for local services, reduce pressure on housing, or change immigration policy.'
Reform defends decision
Despite the criticism, Reform's administration stood by the vote, arguing the council can remain 'diverse, inclusive and welcoming' without needing external recognition of the fact. The motion was passed along party lines, with Reform councillors backing the removal.
Sandwell's housing waiting list currently numbers in the tens of thousands, with some applicants waiting over a decade for accommodation. The council is also facing pressure to find sufficient temporary housing for homeless families, a challenge compounded by rising rents and a shortage of affordable homes.
The decision to scrap the sanctuary status has sparked debate across the local political spectrum, with critics arguing it sends a negative message to vulnerable groups and does not address the real issues facing the borough's housing system.
