- The Home Office has reversed a policy, reducing the time refugees have to find new accommodation before they are evicted from hotels from 56 days back to 28 days.
- Asylum seekers are housed in hotels while they wait for their claims to be processed, but when they receive a successful refugee grant, enabling them to live and work in the UK, they are evicted.
- The previous extension to 56 days was introduced last December in response to concerns from councils and charities about increasing numbers of homeless refugees.
- The decision could lead to thousands of refugees facing homelessness this winter, according to warnings from charities and local councils.
- A government spokesperson said they are taking steps to fix the asylum system, including reducing hotel occupancy, and are working with local bodies to assist those granted refugee status.
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