Ipswich councillor calls for pause on asylum dispersals in Ipswich

Why it matters: The proposal could see Ipswich review its 13-year status as a Town of Sanctuary, with Conservative councillor Ian Fisher  warning that social cohesion in parts of the town is "at breaking point".

The big picture: Ipswich joins councils across the UK raising concerns about unsustainable asylum placements. Glasgow City Council has called for a halt to asylum seeker placements due to housing demand, while Kent County Council has raised capacity alarms over unaccompanied children. Seven West Midlands councils, including Birmingham and Coventry, have challenged Home Office dispersal practices.

The details: The motion, proposed by Castle Hill councillor Ian Fisher and seconded by Sam Murray, requests the Chief Executive write to the Home Office seeking an immediate pause on further dispersals until a capacity review is completed. It also calls for a public consultation on whether Ipswich can continue meeting its Town of Sanctuary responsibilities.

Fisher said immigration is the "number one subject the public are unhappy with" when he knocks on doors. "The strain on services in Ipswich is reaching breaking point," he said. "The demand for services, including social housing, education, GP appointments to name but a few, far outstretch their supply."

By the numbers: Conservative data shows over half the pupils at five Ipswich primary schools are taught English as an Additional Language, with one school reaching 77% – three out of every four pupils. Fisher said this creates an "unsustainable" burden on teaching staff at a time when schools struggle to retain experienced teachers.

What they're saying: "Ipswich has a very proud history of helping those in need, of offering a safe-haven for those fleeing persecution. I want this to continue, but this can only happen if the public are on side with it," Fisher said. "I fear that we are close to losing that support."

What's next: The motion seeks authority for the Chief Executive to request that the Department for Education and Home Office jointly assess the impact of current immigration levels on school places and public services. It also calls on Suffolk County Council and local MPs to lobby for urgent funding and policy changes.

The bottom line: Fisher argues, "to be able to continue to offer our help to those in need in our community, we need to pause, take stock of where we are and plan for the future," as the motion highlights growing concerns about asylum dispersal capacity across local authorities.