Liverpool is one of only two cities in the UK (the other being London) where failed asylum seekers can lodge a final appeal to remain in the country. Liverpool Council has highlighted how those whose appeals are rejected often end up living on the city’s streets. What makes the situation worse is that the Council has claimed it could be punished for using public funds to help and house those people. For those who have been rejected, they are classified as having no recourse to public funds, with the Council potentially facing a fine of up to £3,000 for helping them using public funds. The government has taken issue with this claim, arguing it would never fine councils for helping people on the streets. However, Section 115 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 states that a person will have 'no recourse to public funds' if they are subject to immigration control - which would include those who have failed their asylum bids in Liverpool.
