Politics & Council · Swindon
Swindon Borough Council abandons plans to become an official 'sanctuary' for refugees
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
Swindon Borough Council has confirmed it will no longer seek accreditation as a sanctuary for newly-arrived asylum seekers, opting instead to develop a new internal refugee plan.
Swindon Borough Council has officially ended its pursuit of becoming a designated 'sanctuary' for asylum seekers. The decision marks a reversal of a commitment made by the council in 2023, with officials now set to remove the authority from the membership listing held by City of Sanctuary UK.
The move was confirmed by Councillor Matt Hinton in response to questions raised by Reform Councillor Sara Godwin. Cllr Hinton noted that while final paperwork for the accreditation had been completed in April 2026, the submission process could not be finalised due to the pre-election period.
Had the application proceeded, the status would have formally recognised the town as a sanctuary, potentially facilitating greater access to funding and support services for refugee integration, including English language tuition and housing assistance. Swindon currently remains listed as a 'non-awarded member' on the City of Sanctuary UK register, but the council now intends to request the total removal of its name from the directory.
The decision has drawn criticism from some members of the local authority. Labour Councillor Emma Bushell described the move as a significant disappointment, arguing that the accreditation process was intended to bolster social cohesion and provide the council with valuable networks and expertise. She expressed concern regarding the impact of the sudden reversal on existing community support projects.
In light of the change in direction, Cllr Hinton stated that the council remains committed to supporting refugees through other means. He indicated that the research and data gathered during the preparation for the sanctuary application would be utilised to inform a new 'Council Refugee Plan'. This proposed strategy is scheduled to be presented for consideration at a full council meeting in February 2027.
Source: Swindon Advertiser - Lifestyle · View original