THE numbers of people re-located to Bradford by Councils from other areas of the country has plummeted, but one councillor believes people may still be relocated here “by other means.”

In 2018, there were 78 “out of borough housing placements” in Bradford – with local authorities in other parts of the country relocating their residents to rented accommodation in Bradford.

But Council bosses have revealed this figure fell to four placements in 2023.

The issue has been raised by local politicians and charities in recent years – with concerns that people are being uprooted to areas with cheaper housing hundreds of miles away, like Bradford.

Locally there had been evidence of an increase in people moved from London and the South, where property prices are much higher, to the city.

At a meeting of Bradford Council last month, Councillor Ralph Berry (Lab, Wibsey) asked: “Can the Portfolio holder advise how many vulnerable people have been placed in Bradford rented accommodation by other local authorities, principally from the South, seeking to discharge their duties under the homeless persons legislation following in the last year and what impact this is having on Bradford’s budget?”

The response from the Council’s Executive said: “Bradford Council has received notifications from London councils regarding four out-of-borough housing placements in 2023.

“This marks a significant decrease in recent years where, as an example, there were 78 in 2018 which was the highest number of notifications received by Bradford.

“There must be clear reasons to move a vulnerable household out of area and Local Government Authority guidance states that the placing authority must liaise with the host authority in advance of any placement being made, to ensure the suitability of the placement, appropriate sharing of information with key agencies, and the capacity and availability of necessary services.

“In recent years Bradford Council has led on updating LGA guidance and liaised with London Authorities to ensure any boroughs placing people outside their area only do so as a last resort and follow the notification process.

“It is important to note that while the financial impact on housing’s budget was minimal, other areas such as Education or Children’s Services may have incurred costs which are not quantified.”

Cllr Berry replied: “I’m pleased to see the decline in the number of people ‘cleansed’ from the South of England, but we need to look at the other means by which people are moved away from their families.

“Through my work I’ve met people who don’t have any idea how they have ended up 200 miles away from their families.

“It is a brutal, inhuman policy.”