Fury in major UK town as veterans evicted by council 'without reason'

British Army veterans have launched a scathing attack on the government claiming that they have been "evicted without reason" from council accommodation. A dozen former soldiers say that they have been informed by Bolton Council that they are required to vacate their home within two months with "no explanation" given.

One of the veterans, Andy, said that the decision threatened to leave them homeless and exasperate ongoing health conditions. He told GB News: "I asked the question, what's the reason for it, and they didn't have an answer. I asked them what they've got in place for us if we do get evicted, they still didn't have an answer. They said we've got two months to do whatever. The stress levels in this building with all the boys and girls in here is just so high at the moment.

"I'm 53, if I get made homeless, I don't know what I'm going to do. I've got no family now, so I'm going to be stuck."

Another of the residents served notice named Scott believes that those who served their country are "getting nothing" because they "didn't come over in a small boat".

He said: "We all got served the eviction notice a couple of weeks ago. No explanation, nothing.

"They told us that we're out by September with no help to get any other properties, nothing at all. We're supposed to be in supported accommodation, we've all got PTSD, and they've done nothing, nothing whatsoever for us.

"It's just all very stressful at the moment. We've all got PTSD, and the place itself that we're living in is an absolute mess. It's not been cleaned, they don't decorate.

"We're living in an absolutely horrible situation and now they're trying to throw us out. They're supposed to be here supporting us, we're getting no answers off nobody. We're getting nothing.

"We are veterans, We've not come over here in a boat, we've served our country and we're getting nothing."

He added: "The country is abysmal at the moment, and it doesn't seem that they care.

"But if you come across on a dinghy without a passport, there's a hotel, there's money, you do whatever you want. They haven't got a clue who they're letting in the country. We are veterans, we're part of the country and we've got no rights. We've got nothing."

Bolton Council said that the veterans were being housed in a residential home that is owned by a private housing provider, Qualitas Housing.

They said that the decision to issue section 21 eviction notices was taken entirely by Qualitas Housing and that they were only made aware after the notice had been given.

A Bolton Council spokesperson said: "The difficult decision to issue Section 21 notices followed the local authority's refusal to reinstate Housing Benefit for the tenants.

"We are actively supporting the tenants in appealing this decision and are working closely with both them and the council to ensure that no individual is left without suitable accommodation."