Reform UK councillor Darren Grimes has declared County Durham "the most hostile place" for Home Office migrant placements, announcing that the council has implemented measures to resist asylum seeker accommodation in the area.
Speaking on GB News, Grimes stated: "County Durham is not Westminster's dumping ground. We have put in place some measures, some yet to be announced, that makes absolutely clear we are the most hostile place for the Home Office to dump migrants upon our deprived communities."
The councillor emphasised that Reform is "fighting for their communities, fairness and common sense that has been sorely missing from the national debate."
He rejected suggestions that the party's stance was anti-asylum, insisting instead that Reform is "pro-communities who have been left to the sidelines."
Darren Grimes says his local council will not roll over for Westminster
GB NEWS
The Home Office has paused property procurement in Durham this week, halting the purchase of homes for asylum seekers in the area.
Home Office contractor Mears Group announced on 21 June that it had "agreed to a short pause on new property procurement" in County Durham.
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The Home Office clarified to the Financial Times that it, rather than the contractor, made the decision, stating: "It has been made because we believe we have sufficient capacity in County Durham."
Reform is claiming credit for this development, with Grimes telling the Financial Times that Mears now regards County Durham as a "no-go" territory.
Darren Grimes joined Matt Goodwin on GB News
GB NEWS
The councillor expressed satisfaction with the outcome, saying: "I've been delighted we have been able to take a stand so early and they've recognised County Durham won't roll over and ask them to scratch our belly."
Grimes outlined his concerns about the financial burden on local communities, arguing that asylum seekers would not contribute to council tax revenues.
"If you consider County Durham, our council tax base is low and we have some of the lowest council tax banding in the country and we are viewed by Westminster as appropriate for people who have absolutely no intention to work or contribute to the country, who don't share our views, values and culture, and we have to take them," he said.
He added: "They will never contribute to the council tax bill. That means that actually areas like County Durham, as deprived as we are, have to actually pay for the services for these people from a pot that is incredibly stretched and diminished, especially when it comes to health and social care or care for children."
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PACounty Durham's asylum seeker numbers increased dramatically following a Home Office policy change aimed at distributing arrivals more evenly across the country.
Between 2020 and 2023, the area accommodated just five asylum seekers, but this figure surged nearly 100-fold to 448 in the two years ending March, according to Government figures.
Despite hosting half the national rate of asylum seekers and containing no asylum hotels that became flashpoints for riots last summer, Reform UK capitalised on local sentiment in last month's elections.
The party's success propelled them to power in county hall, securing a seat for Grimes.
He views this as the beginning of Reform's broader ambitions, stating: "This is the first stepping stone of showing what County Durham can actually be - the beacon for Reform in Government."
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