PETITION TEXT :

We, the undersigned residents and supporters of the Isle of Wight, call on the Home Office to formally exempt the Isle of Wight from national asylum dispersal schemes and prohibit the procurement of local hotels, holiday parks, houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), or temporary processing facilities on the Island.

Furthermore, we urge the Isle of Wight Council and our local Members of Parliament to firmly oppose any proposed Home Office housing contracts.

REASONS FOR THIS PETITION:

Severe Isolation and Infrastructure Limitations: As an island community separated from the mainland by the Solent, our infrastructure is entirely isolated and structurally unique. Unlike mainland authorities, the Isle of Wight cannot share or lean on cross-border emergency or public services.

Overstretched Local Healthcare and Public Services: Our healthcare system—including general practitioners, dental practices, and St Mary's Hospital—is already operating under immense pressure and at maximum capacity. Adding sudden, unvetted, or high-dependency populations to an isolated island healthcare system risks compromising patient care for all residents.

Isle of Wight Residents Safety: Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary do not have the resources to cope with recognised UK increased crime rates caused by undocumented migrants. Residents safety MUST be priority ensuring our women and children are not sexually abused by means of assault or rape.  

Pre-existing Local Housing Crisis: The Isle of Wight is experiencing a severe local housing shortage, with thousands of Island residents currently on council waitlists or trapped in temporary accommodation including tents. Public resources and local housing stock must be prioritised to support the needs of the legal residents and young families who already live here.

Economic Reliance on Tourism: The local economy is heavily dependent on hospitality, holiday accommodation, and tourism. Utilizing local hotels or tourist parks to fulfill commercial Home Office contracts directly threatens the Island’s reputation as a holiday destination, risking local businesses and jobs.

ACTION DEMANDED:

We request that the UK Government and the Home Office recognise the unique geographical constraints of the Isle of Wight, halt any ongoing or future procurement contracts with local property owners, and utilise mainland facilities that possess the appropriate infrastructure, transport links, and public service capacities. Residents safety must be priority.