Hotel migrants played football match during Labour council's 'borough of sanctury scheme'

Migrants from asylum hotels played football and enjoyed a barbecue as part of a Labour council's efforts to become a "borough of sanctuary." Southwark council in London aims to become a "borough of sanctuary" for asylum seekers by supporting migrants through a range of initiatives, such as increasing housing, education, health, and financial support services.

The scheme also aims to create a welcoming atmosphere for all new arrivals, regardless of their immigration status. One initiative run by the council included a football match between asylum seekers living in two different asylum hotels in June 2024. The game saw asylum seekers accommodated at the Best Western Hotel in Peckham play against migrants from Driscoll House in the Old Kent Road.

Asylum seekers were then treated to a barbecue and Eritrean coffee served free of charge. Jason Vincent, equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) lead for Millwall community trust, said: "It was important to be able to bring together the players who were able to meet for the first time and play football."

Hamza, who took part in the match, said: "We had a good match with another team. We had fun. We enjoyed it. I hope we play in the future more."

The Southwark Sanctuary Framework, which will run until 2027, also saw the council promise to lobby Labour to remove restrictions that prevent asylum seekers from working before they are granted refugee status.

City of Sanctuary UK, who run the scheme, has already seem more than 100 councils have already joined the scheme, which costs £150 for a three-year membership.

The charity's website says: "From community groups to schools and universities, local councils to libraries and theatres, we work with individuals, groups and organisations in every area and sector to encourage inclusivity, solidarity, and compassion for people from a forced displacement background."

According to a document produced by Southwark council document, 40% of its residents were born outside the UK, and 2,363 asylum seekers living there were receiving state support.

Currently, asylum seekers are banned from working for at least the first year of their claim. Southwark, however, has committed to seeking to reform the system.

It said: "[We will] lobby the Government to reform [ensuring] people are no longer blocked from fully participating in society for years while they wait for their status to be resolved."

Meanwhile libaries in Southwark was the first in London to be given official Library of Sanctuary status with branches in the area offering free membership to refugees and asylum seekers.