Vulnerable families illegally ‘dumped’ hundreds of miles away by London councils

Charities described the policy as ‘inhumane’ and accused councils of targeting vulnerable refugees who speak little English. Illustration: Guardian Design/Christopher Thomond for The Guardian / Getty

Vulnerable families including women fleeing abuse are being illegally “dumped” hundreds of miles away by London councils in a practice “ripping at the social fabric” of deprived towns, a Guardian investigation has found.

Against the backdrop of a deepening housing crisis, the number of homeless people forced out of London has doubled in the past two years.