The corporate service provider euphemistically called 'The Angel Group' are well known amongst refugees, especially those housed and forcibly evicted by them, for housing them in squalid over-crowded conditions, reportedly without gas and electricity. The Angel Group not only house refugees but they also play a pivotal role in the inhumane dispersal of refugees across this country. Their dispersal appears to be dependent upon the cheapest accomodation deals The Angel Group can exploit in Britain.

 http://www.newstartmag.co.uk/refugees.html

The Angel Group, according to a local newspaper in Leeds, has recently been investigated by the Home Office because it has housed Refugees in 'squalid conditions...without gas or electricity'.

Here are some sources that give a brief summary of an article in the local Yorkshire press - unfortunately the link to the Yorkshire Evening Post no-longer works.

Willis, P. (2004) ‘Asylum seekers’ ‘squalid’ housing to be investigated’, Yorkshire Evening Post, 2/08/04 available at  http://www.leedstoday.net/ViewArticle.aspx?SectionID=39&Article!D=832262

 http://tinyurl.com/9ryuy

> Leeds Evening Post 3 August 2004
>
> Asylum Seekers Living in Squalid Conditions
>
> The Home Office has begun an investigation into claims that housing
> provider, Angel Group, is letting homes to asylums seekers in Leeds
> without gas or hot water.

There have also been reports of The Angel Group evicting refugees and sub-contracting landlords who have appalling track records with refugees. Sub-letting sub-standard accommodation like this to refugees is a very lucrative business.

The Angel Groups funding of Celebrating Sanctuary is a crude and relatively cheap public relations stunt to absolve them from their role in profiteering from the plight of refugees in this country.

The plethora of 'Angel' branded balloons and t-shirts at the event make it clear that The Angel Group want as much exposure as possible. One could also argue that their sponsorship of the event effectively muzzles any dissent from refugees and ngos about their track record in terms of housing refugees.

Why are The Angel Group being allowed to sponsor this event and can the Celebrating Sanctuary organisers source funding from other groups that don't profit from asylum?