“Hartlepool Is Not a Dumping Ground”: Brash Slams Southern Councils Over Homeless Relocations...

Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash has spoken out against what he describes as a “disgraceful” practice by southern councils

The move comes as its claimed families made homeless in the south of the country are being 'ferried' up to Hartlepool where accommodation is reportedly 'cheaper'.

27th October 2025

Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash has spoken out against what he describes as the “disgraceful” practice by southern councils allegedly sending vulnerable families hundreds of miles to Hartlepool because the town’s housing is cheaper.

In a statement shared on social media over the weekend, Brash claimed that families are reportedly being “bundled into taxis in the middle of the night” and relocated to Hartlepool without furniture, support, or even basic information about where they are going. The MP warned that this practice is putting enormous strain on local housing and public services, which are already stretched to breaking point.

“These councils are breaking the rules, failing to tell us, failing to support people properly, and piling pressure on our already stretched public services,” Brash said. “Hartlepool is a proud, caring town but we won’t be treated as a dumping ground.”

Brash, who says he has raised the issue directly with government ministers, confirmed he is working alongside Councillor Karen Oliver to block southern councils from continuing the practice. He also called for a change in the law to ban the relocation of homeless families without proper notification or support to receiving local councils.

The issue of out-of-town placements has long been a growing concern across Teesside, with London boroughs and other southern councils accused of offloading housing responsibilities onto northern towns by exploiting cheaper rents. The result is an influx of vulnerable individuals and families arriving in areas already struggling with housing shortages, limited temporary accommodation, and strained council budgets.

Brash’s intervention follows months of growing frustration among residents and campaigners who say Hartlepool’s housing stock is being stretched beyond capacity, leaving local people waiting longer for social housing and emergency placements. It also comes following the revelations after a Teesside & Durham Post investigation revealed significant 'irregularities' in the councils Choice Based lettings system "Hartlepool Homesearch", where some applicants have been found to have been waiting merely 'weeks' before being housed, whilst others are waiting years.

While Brash insists that Hartlepool will continue to “do its bit” to help those in need, his message was clear: stating that he would not tolerate Hartlepool being used as a dumping ground for other councils’ housing problems.

The MP’s call adds further pressure on the Government to review the homeless relocation system, ensure greater accountability from councils sending people out of area, and provide additional funding for towns like Hartlepool that are forced to pick up the pieces.