BURY Council has been given £80,000 to reduce the social impact of migration in the town.

The grant, from the Government’s Controlling Migration Fund, will be used to improve partnership working with Police, Fire and Immigration Enforcement to tackle unsafe and poor quality housing, reduce fly tipping and anti-social behaviour and improve the area for all residents.

The government have announced that they will be distributing £18 million to councils across England to help alleviate the pressures on services, such as housing, education and health, as a result of recent migration.

Communities Minister Lord Bourne said: “This new funding will help councils rise to the challenge of reducing the impact of migration on local communities in a variety of ways – whether that’s tackling the small minority of landlords who damage neighbourhoods with overcrowded properties or providing English language classes to ensure effective integration.”

Leader of Bury Council, Cllr Rishi Shori, said: "We are pleased to have won £80,000 in funding to help tackle some of the social impact of migration. This will allow us to work with the police and immigration enforcement and improve standards within the private rented sector.

“There are problems in some parts of Bury, particularly with rogue landlords who take advantage of migrants, whether that be through overcrowding, unsafe accommodation and other associated issues.

“It will allow us to inspect more privately rented properties and HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupancy), and link into wider council services such as environmental health, social services and external partners such as the Police and Fire, and take enforcement action where necessary.”