Wealthy areas must play their part in housing asylum seekers, Burnham suggests

Wealthier parts of the country must contribute to housing asylum seekers, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has suggested. His remarks follow protests against plans to use a former military base in Urmston, Trafford, to accommodate hundreds of asylum seekers.

Burnham indicated that the burden of housing asylum seekers should be shared more widely, implying that affluent areas have a role to play. The comments come as local opposition to the Urmston site continues, with residents expressing concerns about the impact on the community.

The mayor's suggestion seeks to address the ongoing challenge of accommodating asylum seekers while also aiming for a more equitable distribution of responsibility across different regions and communities. The debate highlights the complex issues surrounding asylum accommodation and the varying responses from local authorities and the public.