Key facts
- Shabana Mahmood has refused to share assessments of the impact of her asylum system changes on homelessness and community cohesion.
- Government ministers are frustrated by the lack of detailed information, fearing it could hinder efforts to end rough sleeping.
- The Home Office's impact assessment acknowledged a risk of increased financial hardship and destitution for some individuals.
- Allies of Mahmood state the exact impact cannot be quantified as details are not finalized, while critics believe the Home Office is unwilling to admit potential disruption.
- The Home Office stated that the policy underwent normal cross-government processes and that ending asylum hotels will not lead to homelessness.
Shabana Mahmood, the UK's Home Secretary, is facing criticism from fellow ministers for failing to provide detailed assessments of the impact of her recent changes to the asylum system. Sources indicate that Mahmood has repeatedly declined to share information regarding potential increases in homelessness and community cohesion issues, causing significant frustration among colleagues working on government initiatives to end rough sleeping. The Home Office maintains that the policy followed standard cross-government procedures and that the reforms will not result in increased homelessness, while an impact assessment acknowledged a risk of financial hardship and destitution for some individuals.