RE-EVICTED: the moral scandal of the homeless Chagossians in Britain - report coming soon -

Meet Emma’s* Chagossian family. Her relatives originated from the Chagos Islands and Britain deported them by force. In mainland Britain the family was evicted from council-provided accommodation.

Emma and her daughter going to the council after their eviction, Slough, 
4 February 2025/ALEXIA PSALTI

Emma, a British Chagossian mother, arrived in the UK from Mauritius in 2022.

She wanted to set up and prepare a new home in the UK for her daughter (15) and son (11) who would then follow. 

Since the children arrived in early 2024, Emma worked part-time as a cleaner. They lived in overcrowded accommodation. She and her two children lived in one bedroom, two at a time sharing the one single bed and the other sleeping on the floor. 

Emma and her daughter visited the local council in Slough nearly every week to get help with housing. Each time they were told that the council could not help them. 

Just before Christmas in November 2024 Emma was served with an official eviction notice. She was told that living in one bedroom with her two children was not appropriate and violated the terms of her stay. 

Emma in the accomodation she is evicted from, Slough, 4.2.25/Alexia Psalti

On 4 February, the day of the eviction, THE CHAGOS FILES team was with Emma and her daughter (her son was at school). The mother handed over the keys and she and her daughter, carrying all their belongings, walked to the council. 

Emma handing over the keys, Slough, 4.2.25/Alexia Psalti

At the Council they were told that they would be given a two-bedroom temporary accommodation an hour and a half away by public transport. 

Emma explained to THE CHAGOS FILES how she had tried to do everything the right way by arriving in the UK two years before her kids’ arrival, being apart from them and working hard. 

She couldn’t believe what had happened. Crying, Emma told THE CHAGOS FILES, “the way people have been treating us here is truly horrible. We’re stressed every day.” 

“It’s the [British] government that gave us the passports,” Emma added. “I don’t understand why the system treats us this way. Especially if you look at the story of Chagossians.”

The family want some help to be able to sustain themselves and set up their lives properly in the UK.

***

Today THE CHAGOS FILES understands that Emma and her two children are currently in the same temporary two-bedroom accommodation. She is still at the same job. Emma’s son is at the same school but the three hour daily commute is challenging.

They are happy to be settled now, and they’re grateful for the place they have. “It’s a very nice area,” says Emma’s daughter.

Given the debt the UK owes Chagossians for removing them from their homeland, don’t we owe them some stability and a helping hand to set up their lives in the UK?

*Emma’s name is changed for privacy.

ALEXIA PSALTI/7.5.25