Explanatory note

Under section 9 of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996, the Secretary of State has power to specify classes of persons subject to immigration control for whom local authorities may provide housing accommodation (subsection (1)) or assistance under the homelessness legislation (subsection (2)). Relevant classes are specified in the Housing Accommodation and Homelessness (Persons subject to Immigration Control) Order 1996. This Order amends that Order (as regards Scotland only) by adding as a new class for the purposes of both subsections (1) and (2) of section 9 persons who are nationals of states which are signatories to the European Convention on Social and Medical Assistance or the Council of Europe Social Charter and are habitually resident in the Common Travel Area (the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the Republic of Ireland).