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The British authorities is facing calls to assist Chagossians who need short-term accommodation after a surge of them arrived in the country to claim their right to UK nationality.

Rising Figures at London Airport

Hillingdon Council said 152 Chagossians had arrived at Heathrow Airport in the borough this period so far, taking the overall number to over 600 since last July.

The Tory-run council says it anticipates to spend two million pounds this financial year on its statutory obligation to support homeless Chagossian British citizens, straining stretched accommodation options and "breaking" its finances.

Background of the Chagos Situation

The Chagos Archipelago in the ocean was converted into a military base in the 1960s and the entire population was forced to move, primarily to the neighboring country or the Seychelles.

In the year 2002, a restricted group of Chagossians were granted the opportunity to British nationality. Thousands now reside in the United Kingdom, including an community of three thousand in Crawley.

Current Situation

In November 2022, the authorities launched a fresh British nationality route which was expanded to every person of Chagossian descent, living anywhere in the world, allowing them to be acknowledged as UK nationals without cost.

Adults have five years, from November 2022, to apply for UK citizenship. Children delivered within the application period have until they are 23 to submit their application.

Government Position

The UK government said Chagossians were required to make their own housing arrangements prior to journeying and maintained the influx of newcomers was "totally unconnected" to the Chagos Islands deal with the Mauritian government.

"Chagossians travelling to the United Kingdom are required to make housing arrangements before arrival," a government spokesperson said.

Local Council Concerns

The local authority says it is at risk of going effectively bankrupt and has put in a request for exceptional financial support from the central authorities.

It is planning to cut spending by thirty-eight million pounds this period, the biggest reduction goal the council has ever attempted.

"It's overwhelming the authority," Steve Tuckwell said. "It's taking away public funds from core services."

Individual Experiences

Damien Dursonial, 35, arrived at the airport with his spouse and two children, aged four and six, on Wednesday.

Originally from Mauritius, where he worked as a officer, Mr Dursonial saved up for two years and disposed of his bike to cover the flights to the UK.

"I traveled to the United Kingdom because it was the only place where we could experience security, valued and acknowledged as a UK national," he said.

Ongoing Challenges

The authority opened a temporary facility in the area this week to handle the increase in newcomers.

Councils have a legal duty to assist eligible people who are homeless and supply short-term housing for families with dependents.

The council says it is already struggling to support refugees placed in the locality by the Home Office.

Financial Pressure

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

The council had written to government officials asking for funding to assist Chagossians but had not received any responses.

Islander Viewpoint

Vanessa Mandarin Calu, who collaborates with a community group, said many Chagossian Britons were temporarily settling in the UK while they wait to go back to their ancestral land.

"Our homeland is a British Overseas Territory - the government should establish a definite process for British-Chagossians instead of handing our territory to another country without consulting us," Ms Mandarin Calu said.

The global population of Chagossians is estimated to be about 10,000, with many of them residing in Mauritius, the Seychelles islands or the UK.