Fourteen days. No response. After being ignored by the Immigration Minister, I wrote directly to the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, two weeks ago, demanding an immediate halt to further asylum dispersal into Sunderland. I gave the Home Office a clear 14-day deadline to respond. That deadline has now passed without a single word. Sunderland is already accommodating more than twice the proportion of people receiving asylum support that our population would indicate. This is not equitable distribution. It is an unsustainable burden on our city. Again, I want to be unambiguous: I am not seeking a reduced allocation. I am seeking an end to asylum dispersal in Sunderland. Full stop. As residents will be aware, our housing stock is under significant pressure. Local families are struggling to secure homes, yet the Home Office continues to treat Sunderland as a destination for the consequences of national immigration policy failures. This cannot continue. I requested an immediate freeze on new placements, a halt to further accommodation procurement, and clear answers regarding the Home Office’s plans for our city. None of these have been forthcoming. My administration is now actively reviewing every existing arrangement and every lawful avenue available to challenge and resist further dispersal. We will pursue all appropriate options. I will not accept decisions being taken in Whitehall without proper engagement while Sunderland is left to manage the consequences. The Home Secretary has had the opportunity to respond. The silence is unacceptable. Why does the political class hold us in such contempt here in Sunderland? Sunderland has reached its limit. No more dispersal. Sunderland first, always. @reformparty_uk @ReformUkWear

Andy Burnham is grasping the big issues that have been ignored for too long. That is the fundamental change this country needs to get people to hope again.