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The British authorities is facing calls to assist Chagossians who require short-term accommodation after a increase of them came in the country to claim their right to British citizenship.

Growing Numbers at London Airport

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

The Conservative-led authority says it expects to spend £2m this year on its legal duty to help without accommodation Chagossian British citizens, straining stretched housing resources and "breaking" its budget.

Historical Context of the Islanders' Plight

The Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean was converted into a defense installation in the sixties and the entire population was forced to move, mainly to the neighboring country or the Seychelles islands.

In 2002, a restricted group of Chagossians were given the opportunity to British nationality. Several thousand now live in the UK, comprising an community of three thousand in West Sussex.

Recent Developments

In November 2022, the government introduced a new British nationality route which was widened to all individuals of Chagos heritage, living globally, allowing them to be acknowledged as UK nationals without cost.

Grown-ups have half a decade, from 23 November 2022, to apply for British nationality. Minors delivered within the five-year application time have until they are twenty-three to submit their application.

Official Stance

The British authorities said Chagossians were required to make their own housing arrangements prior to travelling and maintained the arrival of newcomers was "completely unrelated" to the agreement with Mauritius.

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

Local Council Concerns

Hillingdon Council says it is at risk of going effectively bankrupt and has submitted a request for exceptional financial support from the central authorities.

It is aiming to reduce expenditure by £38m this period, the biggest reduction goal the council has ever attempted.

"It's breaking the council," Steve Tuckwell said. "It's diverting hard-earned taxpayers' money from essential provisions."

Personal Stories

Damien Dursonial, thirty-five, arrived at the airport with his spouse and kids, aged four and six, on midweek.

Originally from Mauritius, where he worked as a police constable, Mr Dursonial accumulated funds for 24 months and disposed of his bike to cover the air travel to the United Kingdom.

"I came to the UK because it was the only place where we could feel safe, valued and acknowledged as a UK national," he said.

Continuing Difficulties

Hillingdon Council established a pop-up processing centre in the borough this week to deal with the surge in newcomers.

Councils have a legal duty to assist eligible people who are without homes and provide short-term housing for families with children.

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

Budget Strain

"I'm urging the government to act appropriately," Tuckwell said. "End this pressure on Hillingdon taxpayers. The budget is running dry."

The council had sent letters to government officials asking for funding to support islanders but had failed to get any responses.

Community Perspective

Vanessa Mandarin Calu, who works with a community group, said many British-Chagossians were staying temporarily in the United Kingdom while they remain to go back to their homeland.

"The Chagos Islands is a UK territory - the authorities should establish a definite process for British-Chagossians instead of handing our territory to another country without seeking our input," Ms Mandarin Calu said.

The global population of Chagossians is calculated to be about 10,000, with a significant number of them residing in the island nation, the Seychelles islands or the United Kingdom.