A popular seaside resort known as one of Britain’s ‘wokest’ cities has been accused of dumping homeless people in another town 20 miles away. Left-wing wonderland Brighton is a sought after location for those heading from London and wanting to buy close to the coast.

The progressive city elected a Green Party MP at the last general election and the Labour-run council have made Brighton it one of several UK Cities of Sanctuary, offering perks to those claiming refugee status and asylum. But despite offering solace to those escaping persecution overseas, it seems the same welcome does not extend to the city’s existing homeless population.

Residents of nearby Eastbourne, just a short drive down the coast, have claimed their town is being used by Brighton and Hove City Council in order to keep rough sleepers “out of sight, out of mind”.

Daniel Hylands, who became homeless several years ago, told The Telegraph that he had been effectively kicked out of Brighton, the city where he grew up. He said: “They literally just booked me a taxi and shipped me all the way over here. They just dumped me here.”

Mr Hylands, who was receiving treatment for a disability in Brighton, told the paper his care workers had completely changed after being sent to Eastbourne,.

“I had a social worker for [my] adult disabilities. I had loads of support in Brighton, but because they’ve moved me over here, the caseworkers are not the same,” he said.

Brighton and Hove City Council sent 42 people to be housed in Eastbourne in 2023, but that number has now risen to 171 as of January this year, according to Eastbourne Borough Council.

Nick Carpenter, 45, a father-of-three became homeless in October last year when he split up with his partner. He told the Mail he was also shipped off to Eastbourne.

He told the Mail Online: “I’m out of my comfort zone in Eastbourne. I don’t have any of my friends or family or support network here. It’s difficult trying to start again in a strange place.”

*** Ensure our latest news headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings. ***

Alex Haward, from the Christian homelessness charity Matthew 25, there were between 70 and 80 new people from Brighton in Eastbourne relying on them since the end of 2024.

He said: “We’re not being overwhelmed just yet but it’s got a lot busier in the last couple of years.

“I don’t agree with the policy. Councils are picking up very vulnerable people and removing them from their family, friends and support networks and then dumping them in Eastbourne.”

GB News reports Josh Babarinde, the Liberal Democrat MP for Eastbourne, said accommodation in Eastbourne for those from Brighton came without proper support.

“No one should be treated in that way. No one should be dehumanised in such a way and placed in accommodation, wherever it is, without the support they need to ultimately get back on their feet. I think that is unforgivable,” he said.

The MP added: “Rough sleeping is far more visible than it was before. Encampments have been formed that are disproportionately people that are from out-of-borough. In some cases their temporary accommodation placement has failed.”

Brighton has some of the highest rates of homelessness in the country, with one in 77 residents reported to be sleeping rough.

Councillor Gill Williams, the cabinet member for housing at Brighton and Hove City Council, said: “We have some of the South East’s best figures for prevention of homelessness, but the demand for emergency and temporary accommodation far exceeds the amount available to us in the city.

“This means that although we prioritise keeping people within Brighton and Hove, sometimes we have no choice but to use out-of-city emergency placements.”

She added: “We do not comment on individuals and their circumstances, but where we need to place homeless people out of area, we do work closely with our neighbouring local authorities and have a team dedicated to supporting people in temporary accommodation.”