UK nationals who have left Sudan because of the violence there will be exempt from residency tests on arrival in the UK – meaning they will be able to access benefits, social housing and homelessness assistance.
The Government laid emergency regulations in May to enable the change, and said it expected most arrivals to be able to move quickly into their own home or that of family and friends.
However, when arrivals do not have immediate accommodation available, local authorities may provide emergency overnight accommodation and then support people to find other accommodation.
Baroness Scott, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, said: “Councils are well versed in supporting people fleeing conflict and have a duty to make sure no family is without a roof over their heads.
“We are working closely with local authorities to ensure that reasonable costs associated with the repatriation effort are met.”
The UK Government evacuated 2,450 people from Sudan in late April and early May, mainly British nationals, with councils in Essex, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire supporting initial arrivals at Heathrow.
A director of adult social services described the local government response as “a humanitarian effort as traumatised people arrived”, with some arrivals passing through to families, but others admitted to hospital and even a care home.
An LGA spokesperson praised the good work of councils in welcoming and supporting new arrivals, and stepping forward at a time of crisis.