THE private company taking over the dispersing of asylum seekers in Blackburn has been slammed by Jack Straw for failing to say if numbers will be doubled in the town.

After a meeting with refugees, Dawn Elaine, Serco’s director of housing contracts, pledged to manage the new system “carefully and responsibly”.

Blackburn MP Mr Straw said the statement failed to answer key questions on whether the company would double the asylum seekers in Blackburn from 350 to 700 and whether the council could decide where they are placed.

He is so concerned Serco will use the full 700 places legally allowed instead of the current 350, he was written to Home Secretary Theresa May.

Ms Elaine said: “After a rigorous assessment process, UKBA awarded Serco the contract in the North West, Scotland and Northern Ireland in March 2012. We are now in the transition phase and expect to be fully managing the services from autumn 2012.

“Where concerns have been raised, we would like to reassure people that we are working closely with all relevant local authorities.

“We attended a constructive meeting on Tuesday with a group of asylum seekers at the Blackburn with Darwen user forum, together with representatives from UKBA.

“We wanted to give Blackburn’s asylum applicants the reassurance that their welfare is of the utmost importance to us.

“Serco is qualified to provide a range of services, many of which involve caring for vulnerable people. This includes helping the long-term unemployed find work on the DWP’s Work Programme, and resettling ex-offenders back into the community.”

Mr Straw said: “The statement does not tackle the key questions. I shall be going back to the company and the government to get clarification.”