Labour vows to overhaul 'chaotic' asylum system that leaves refugees sleeping on Manchester's streets

Labour has vowed to reform the 'chaotic' and 'broken' asylum system that has left refugees sleeping rough on the streets of Greater Manchester. Rough sleeping has been rising in recent months with many of those on the streets having recently been granted asylum.

It comes as the government attempts to clear the backlog of asylum claims. Once an asylum claim is approved - which is the outcome in most cases - refugees have just a few weeks to find housing before they are kicked out their government-funded accommodation.

Local councils are responsible for housing people who have been living in their area once they are granted asylum. But in Manchester, many of those seeking council accommodation have been coming from all over the country in the hope of being housed in the city.

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Earlier this year, Manchester council said it was struggling to cope with the demand driven by an influx of rough sleepers recently granted refugee status. Salford council also declared a 'homelessness crisis' after people started camping outside its headquarters.

Labour's shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said the asylum system needs reform 'from beginning to end'. Speaking to the Manchester Evening News in Leigh on Thursday (May 17), she said Labour would work with councils to fix the 'chaotic' system.

Her comments follow Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer's pledge to set up a new 'border security command' to bring down gangs arranging small boat crossings to the UK. The Labour Party has also previously promised to clear the backlog of asylum claims.

The Home Office has said its plan is working with the Prime Minister's pledge to clear the 'legacy' backlog of asylum cases