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The British authorities is facing calls to assist Chagos Islanders who need short-term accommodation after a wave of them arrived in the United Kingdom to exercise their entitlement to UK nationality.

Rising Figures at Heathrow

The local authority said over 150 islanders had arrived at Heathrow Airport in the borough this period so far, bringing the overall number to over 600 since July last year.

The Conservative-led authority says it anticipates to spend £2m this financial year on its legal duty to support without accommodation British-Chagossians, putting pressure on limited housing resources and "breaking" its finances.

Historical Context of the Islanders' Plight

The Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean was converted into a military base in the sixties and the entire population was forced to move, mainly to Mauritius or the Seychelles islands.

In the year 2002, a restricted group of islanders were given the right to full British citizenship. Thousands now reside in the UK, comprising an expat population of three thousand in West Sussex.

Recent Developments

In November 2022, the authorities launched a new British nationality route which was widened to all individuals of Chagossian descent, living anywhere in the world, allowing them to be acknowledged as UK nationals free of charge.

Grown-ups have half a decade, from 23 November 2022, to claim British nationality. Minors delivered within the application period have until they are 23 to apply.

Official Stance

The British authorities said islanders were expected to make their own housing arrangements prior to journeying and maintained the influx of newcomers was "completely unrelated" to the Chagos Islands deal with the Mauritian government.

"Chagossians travelling to the United Kingdom are required to make housing arrangements prior to coming," a official representative said.

Local Council Concerns

Hillingdon Council says it is at risk of going financially insolvent and has put in a request for exceptional financial support from the government.

It is aiming to cut spending by £38m this period, the largest savings target the authority has ever undertaken.

"It's breaking the council," a council representative said. "It's diverting hard-earned taxpayers' money from core services."

Individual Experiences

One Chagossian, 35, arrived at the airport with his wife and kids, aged four and six, on midweek.

Born in Mauritius, where he served as a police constable, Mr Dursonial saved up for two years and disposed of his bike to cover the air travel to the United Kingdom.

"I traveled to the United Kingdom because it was the sole location where we could experience security, respected and acknowledged as a British citizen," Mr Dursonial said.

Ongoing Challenges

Hillingdon Council opened a pop-up processing centre in the area this period to deal with the surge in newcomers.

Local authorities have a legal duty to assist eligible people who are without homes and supply temporary accommodation for households with dependents.

The authority says it is already struggling to support asylum seekers housed in the locality by the immigration authorities.

Financial Pressure

"I'm calling on the authorities to do the right thing," Tuckwell said. "End this pressure on local residents. The bank account is running dry."

The council had sent letters to ministers requesting financial support to support Chagossians but had failed to get any replies.

Islander Viewpoint

A community representative, who works with a community group, said many Chagossian Britons were staying temporarily in the United Kingdom while they wait to go back to their homeland.

"Our homeland is a UK territory - the government should create a definite process for British-Chagossians instead of handing our land to a foreign nation without consulting us," she said.

The worldwide community of islanders is calculated to be about 10,000, with many of them residing in Mauritius, the Seychelles or the UK.