Elected Member Briefing - Misinformation about accommodation for people seeking asylum
Elected Member Briefing Note 2025, No. 107
About this Briefing Note
Report by: Lisa Potter, Service Manager - Strategic Communications and Engagement Manager
EMBN Number: 107-25
Date: 14 August 2025
Subject: Misinformation re asylum seeker accommodation
Details
Purpose
To alert elected members to an increasing number of rumours being circulated on social media, within private groups and in messaging apps claiming to have heard about additional accommodation opening for asylum seekers in Perth.
Briefing Information
Sadly we are seeing increasing evidence of the intentional or unintentional spreading of misinformation on social media claiming that various named hotels or large vacant buildings in Perth and Kinross are about to be used to provide additional asylum seeker accommodation in the area.
There is no truth to these rumours, but it appears that every time one building is discounted the rumour pops up again with a different hotel/building named instead.
Yesterday afternoon we posted a statement on the Council's Facebook page to highlight the importance of considering the sources of information, and not spreading unfounded rumours. We have also added a page to our website outlining that asylum seeker accommodation is organised by the Home Office and confirming that we have had no notification of any intention to increase the number currently housed within Perth and Kinross.
Given the scale of social media it is likely that you will see these rumours popping up in local groups you are members of or have residents contacting you about them directly. We would appreciate your support in dispelling these rumours and encouraging residents to seek official sources for information instead.
Share this page
