ONLINE speculation that a Barnsley hotel has been used during the pandemic to provide shelter for asylum seekers has been dismissed by the council.
A widely-shared post on social media listed Dodworth’s Ibis Styles hotel as one of almost 20 across the country offering free temporary accommodation to foreign nationals.
And, while the Home Office has been using hotels in this way during the lockdown, Barnsley Council has confirmed the hotel is not part of the scheme.
A spokesperson for Barnsley’s branch of City of Sanctuary said the list was ‘clearly inflammatory’.
The post also lists Wakefield’s Urban House - closed following an outbreak - and reports those in temporary accommodation are given £40 a week ‘cash in hand’.
Asylum seekers in temporary accommodation are given £35.39 a week on a pre-paid card for food, clothing and toiletries, with the spokesperson adding accommodation is often of a ‘very poor standard’.
Finding temporary accommodation is a regular part of the asylum application process, with those applying unable to work and supported by the taxpayer while their application is considered.
