Summary 5

1. Introduction 8

Asylum accommodation in the public spotlight 8

Political salience and government positioning 8

Renewed focus on cohesion and integration 10

Insights from sector engagement 11

Aims of the study 11

Methods 11

2. Key findings 13

Perceived unfairness in housing and cost-of-living pressures is shaping

attitudes to asylum accommodation 13

Low trust and poor information create space for misinformation and far

right mobilisation 16

Concerns about safety are shaped by wider crime and disorder, with

asylum hotels a focal point in some places 18

National anxieties about borders coexist with a largely pragmatic

desire for integration at a local level .20

Decline and civic strength coexist, shaping local responses 23

3. Recommendations 25

Invest in housing and regeneration to restore fairness and build trust 25

Strengthen local leadership, transparency and early engagement 28

Tackle online misinformation and crisis preparedness 29

Support practical cohesion and safety at a neighbourhood level 30

Provide national leadership on cohesion 31

References 33

Appendix 35

Case study locations 35