Nearly three quarter of complaints lodged by Norfolk's authorities over asylum housing have been overruled by the government in the past year.

The figures, obtained by this newspaper under the Freedom of Information Act, show the extent to which councils are being sidelined despite raising concerns through the proper channels.

Serco, the outsourcing giant contracted by the Home Office to source asylum accommodation, identifies potential properties and consults the relevant council on a case-by-case basis. 

Where a council rejects a site, Serco can refer the decision to the Home Office for adjudication - where the objection can then be overruled.

Since June 2025, Norfolk's district councils have formally objected to 17 proposed placements. 

Norfolk councils have lodged 17 formal objections to asylum housing placements since........

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