THE number of asylum seekers accommodated in Blackburn with Darwen is set to double it has been revealed.

The government has told council bosses it wants to increase the total housed in the borough from 370 to 750.

The asylum seekers in the borough are part of a long-standing agreement between the authority and the Home Office.

They are looked after by private company Serco and the council.

In 2012 the Home Office sought to increase the number to 700 but dropped the plan following opposition.

Cllr Phil Riley, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, and his Conservative opposition counterpart Cllr John Slater have expressed concern about the increase and its impact on public services.

They are supported by Blackburn Labour MP Kate Hollern and her Rossendale and Darwen Tory Parliamentary colleague Jake Berry.

A report to Thursday's meeting of the authority's executive board by public health boss Cllr Damian Talbot says: "Blackburn with Darwen have been a supporter of asylum seekers for many years.

"The asylum seekers we are supporting have primarily come through Asylum Accommodation and Support Contracts (AASC).

"SERCO at the instruction of the government are procuring more properties in every area to include Blackburn with Darwen.

"The number of placements in the borough will rise from just over 350 to approximately 750.

"The Home Office has recently re-evaluated the number of asylum seekers each local authority should take through the AASC scheme.

"This includes an increased ask of authorities already supporting asylum seekers.

"For Blackburn with Darwen this means an increase to 750.

"To April, Blackburn was voluntarily supporting 370.

"This will continue to rise toward the 750 figure.

"A large number of areas of the UK have made less support available.

"Asylum seekers comprise individuals and families. Those that receive positive decisions are then rehoused by us.

"The support needs of this group are high with language, culture and integration, education, training and employment amongst needs identified."

Cllr Riley said: "This is a consequence of the government losing control of the asylum process including the hundreds crossing the English Channel every day

"All local authorities are being told they have to take in more asylum seekers.

"We have a long and honourable record of welcoming asylum seekers.

"The concern is that it is not being done equitably.

"If this is the number to come to Blackburn with Darwen, we need assurances from the government of the resources to accommodate these new residents and to provide our local services.

"There is a balance to be struck between welcoming asylum seekers and being able to properly provide for them."

Mrs Hollern said:"Blackburn with Darwen is always keen to do it's fair share to support asylum seekers.

“It's simply impractical to place an outsized burden on areas and their services. This is an imposition by central government. There is currently a shortage of GPs, dentists, school places and accommodation.

“It concerns me the Government appears to have lost control of the asylum system, but as usual it is local councils that are given the job of picking up the pieces without the adequate resources.”

Cllr Slater said: "I do not see any need to increase the numbers except for Ukrainians.

"We would oppose any increase in asylum seekers coming to the borough because of the pressure it would place on our health services, schools and other public services."

Jake Berry said: "The people of Blackburn and Darwen are a welcoming people but there is a limit.

"At a time when our local healthcare, housing and school services are under increased pressure I don’t think it is right to put even more pressure on them by doubling the number of asylum seekers housed in our area.

"It is not right we are being asked to absorb a disproportionate number. I am asking that the Home Office ensures that asylum seekers are supported in other boroughs rather than Blackburn with Darwen. "

A Home Office spokesman said: “The number of people arriving in the UK who require accommodation has reached record levels and has put our asylum system under incredible strain.

“The use of hotels is unacceptable. We are working hard with local authorities to find appropriate accommodation.”

A SERCO spokesman said the locations for asylum seekers was a matter for the government.