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Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Councils could house migrants in empty homes, disused tower blocks and student digs as unrest grows over asylum hotels
Asylum seekers could be housed in empty homes, disused tower blocks and former student digs bought by local councils amid a growing backlash at the use of hotels. The Government is proposing pilot schemes where it could pay local authorities to buy or renovate property, which they would lease back to the Home Office to house asylum seekers. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has set out a target to end the use of hotels by 2029, although it is unclear how this can be achieved when Channel crossings are at record highs. There are currently 700,000 empty homes across England, including 93,600 in London and 35,000 in Birmingham, Liverpool and Leeds - according to official figures. Sir Keir Starmer outlined the Government's approach this week, telling a committee of MPs: 'A central focus of what we are doing is what can be built, arranged or taken by councils and repurposed. I am impatient for this change to be driven through. 'We have to take over other accommodation, and we have to drive down the asylum lists. There is no alternative... There is lots of housing in many local authorities that can be used, and we are identifying where it can be used.' Dame Angela Eagle, the border security and asylum minister, told MPs that the ambition was to move away from using private accommodation contractors to a 'more democratically accountable' system in partnership with councils. Around 200 councils are said to have 'expressed interest' in running pilot schemes funded by central government. Migrant hotels are a major focus of public anger, with more protests taking place outside sites across England over the weekend. The recent string of flare-ups began with a demonstration outside The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, after Ethiopian man Hadush Kebatu was charged with sexually assaulting a schoolgirl just days after he arrived in Britain in a Channel dinghy. Police chiefs have already described the unrest at The Bell as a 'signal flare' for another summer of disorder. Epping Council voted unanimously last week to urge the Government to close the hotel. But Treasury minister James Murray refused to comment yesterday when asked why the Government has not listened to the demands. He told Sky News: 'I'm not going to comment on specific cases, but I do understand people's frustration. 'And whilst, obviously, there can never be any place for criminal violence, there's absolutely a right for people to protest about this.' While using hotels at a cost of about £5.77million is unpopular, moving large groups of asylum seekers into accommodation in local communities often provokes a backlash too. The Home Office sparked fury this week after it emerged they were planning, without consultation with the local council, to relocate 35 asylum seekers to a new development above a High Street shop in Waterlooville, Hampshire. The earmarked development is a newly converted block of 19 flats called Waterloo House. The flats are located above a bric a brac store called The Junk Emporium which was once a Peacocks clothing store and before that, a Tesco. It is owned by Mountley Group whose Director, Hersch Schneck, also owns a migrant hotel in nearby Cosham. A member of staff at the shop, who rent from Mountley Group, told MailOnline how they only found out about the plans over Facebook and revealed the fallout of the row has severely impacted business. She explained: 'Yesterday we probably took around a third less. They [customers] think it's to do with us but it's not, we just rent the shop, they kind of assume we know what is going which we don't. 'We've had lots of phone calls and people coming in asking questions we can't answer. We were always under the impression that the flats above would be sold to commuters and people like that. Portsmouth fan Steve, 58, who has lived in the area his whole life, told MailOnline: 'I've got a 13-year-old granddaughter, when you're about that age, you want to go out up the high street, but I'd be worried now. 'There's no criminal history checks on these people. It's easy to get swept up in that aspect, but it's not just that, I think it will attract trouble for us as well as the migrants. 'With the planned protests, I don't want people to start smashing things up because that plays into the hands of the Home Office and police who say 'see, there we go, right wing'. 'We have genuine concerns but the narrative can change quickly.' Patricia Walding, 87, added: 'These hotels are changing our towns, they are costing us a fortune and robbing the taxpayer while our own people are sleeping on the streets, I think it's disgusting.' Sid Conroy, who used to work for Airbus and now spends his time breeding racing pigeons, fears serious repercussions if the hotel gets given the greenlight. The 68-year-old said: 'I'm dead against it, there could be fights and trouble up here. You're going to have problems here, I can tell you that. 'There are people waiting years on housing waiting lists and it just seems like they get a brand new flat just like that? Why can't they look after us first? 'Our government is making us unhappy because of it. People are left behind, they're thinking more of the people coming in now. You get them coming over here, causing mayhem, causing trouble, all they get is a slap on the wrist and don't do it again. This is how I see it.' Others were more relaxed about the plans, with one lady, a special needs teacher who did not want to be named, claiming that locals were unloading unrelated grievances about their lives onto asylum seekers because they are 'an easy target'. On Friday, the Home Office said asylum seekers face being made homeless if they refuse orders by officials to move out of hotels into alternative accommodation. Around 100 asylum seekers refuse to move accommodation each week, and ministers currently have no powers to force them. Record arrivals for the year is making it harder for officials to find new accomodation Under the Conservatives, the Government threatened to remove housing and support from those who refused to move to the Bibby Stockholm barge, which is no longer in use. Labour's new plan will mirror the Tory rules, but will be applied more widely to other forms of accommodation. The 'firm but fair' policy is part of the Government's drive to end the use of expensive hotels to house asylum seekers. One plan could see empty homes brought back into use to house both asylum seekers and local homeless people, according to the Telegraph. The Home Office said it wanted 'to develop a more sustainable, long-term model of accommodation supply, which may be more locally led, should reduce competition for affordable housing, and help deliver new supply'.
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Home Office to penalise asylum seekers who refuse to move out of hotels
Asylum seekers who refuse to move out of hotels to new accommodation will have their support withdrawn, the Home Office has said, before more protests at a site in Essex this weekend. Angela Eagle, a Home Office minister, said the government was working to 'close hotels, restore order, and put fairness and value for money at the heart of our asylum system'. The government is concerned about the risk of unrest spreading after incidents of disorder at the Bell hotel in Essex during the past week led to nine people being charged with offences. Some of the protests were orchestrated by far-right figures, with demonstrations spreading to a handful of other places. The Epping protest was sparked by the charging of Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, a 38-year-old asylum seeker, with sexual assault over allegedly trying to kiss a 14-year-old. He denied the charge at Chelmsford magistrates court and will stand trial next month. With tensions high, the government said it was clamping down on 'abuse' of hotels housing those seeking asylum with its new 'failure to travel guidance'. This will deny single men the right to stay in hotels if they have been turned down suitable accommodation elsewhere without a valid reason. It will also lead to the withdrawal of financial support. However, sources in refugee charities said the policy was not new and those terms were already largely applied to asylum seekers who turned down other accommodation without a reason. They said previous guidance had been put under review and was now replaced with the new rules, but that little would change, and that most cases where people decline to move involved failures in communication or problems in the system. A further demonstration at the Bell hotel in Epping is planned for Sunday by those opposed to it being used for asylum seekers, with counter-protesters also expected to gather. The Guardian reported on Thursday that James Regan, one of a number of Epping Reform UK councillors attending the protests last week, claimed in an interview outside the hotel that 'they're trying to dilute the Englishness out of us'. Another Reform official shared a stage with Callum Barker, of the far-right party Homeland, and gave a speech in which she said: '[If] I've got to wear a far-right title then so be it.' Both Jeremy Corbyn, the former Labour leader who is now launching his own party, and Diane Abbott, who is suspended as a Labour MP, have come out in support of anti-racism protesters holding a demonstration on Sunday. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion While Corbyn will not be attending the counter demo, a message of support from him will be read out. 'Refugees have been through unimaginable distress to seek a place of safety. They are human beings like you and me,' he said. 'The great dividers want people to think that migrants and minorities are to blame for the problems in our society. They're not. The problems are caused by a rigged economic system that enriches billionaires and impoverishes working class communities. 'We are a movement made up of all backgrounds and faiths – and we speak with one united voice when we say: refugees are welcome here.' On Thursday, Epping Forest district council unanimously voted to support a motion calling for the immediate closure of the Bell hotel for the purpose of asylum processing and for the 'managed closure' of the Phoenix hotel. The vote was non binding and purely symbolic. During the meeting, Chris Whitbread, the leader of the council, reiterated that the local authority had no say on the use of the hotels and the decision was up to the Home Office, who he accused of 'not being overly cooperative' when safeguarding concerns were raised. On Friday, dozens of protesters demonstrated outside a hotel in Canary Wharf that is reportedly to be used to offer temporary accommodation for asylum seekers. The demonstration, organised by Stand Up to Racism, took place outside the Britannia International hotel, with a group of anti-migrant protesters also present. More than 25 officers were in the vicinity to separate the two sides, with police vans carrying additional staff also patrolling Canary Wharf.
The Independent
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Fact check: ‘Asylum hotels', employment data and ‘enhanced customs monitoring'
This roundup of claims has been compiled by Full Fact, the UK's largest fact checking charity working to find, expose and counter the harms of bad information. Is the Government 'opening up' asylum hotels? Earlier this week, amid concern about unrest outside a hotel in Epping used to house asylum seekers, shadow housing secretary Sir James Cleverly MP claimed in a broadcast interview: '[Labour] are opening up asylum hotels, they are increasing the use of asylum accommodation around the country'. It is true that under Labour the number of asylum seekers housed in hotels has increased, as our Government Tracker explains. According to the latest available data, 32,345 asylum seekers were housed in hotels at the end of March 2025, up from 29,585 at the end of June 2024, just before Labour came into office. The data also showed there were 71,339 asylum seekers living in other types of non-hotel accommodation at the end of March 2025, compared with 67,057 at the end of June 2024. The majority were in 'dispersal accommodation', which is longer-term temporary accommodation managed by providers on behalf of the Home Office, with others housed in 'initial accommodation', which is typically shared accommodation while an asylum seeker is having their claim for support assessed. The Home Office told us that 210 asylum hotels are currently in use as of July 23, and that they expected more to close. On March 3 2025, Dame Angela Eagle MP, minister for border security and asylum, said that in July 2024 there were 213 hotels in operation, suggesting the number of hotels in use is currently slightly lower than when Labour first came into office. According to the Home Office's latest accounts, 'the total number of contracted hotels reduced by 71 across 2024-25', although it did not specify the starting or end totals, and this time period also includes figures from when the Conservatives were in office. It is worth noting however that while the overall number of hotels in use appears to have come down slightly, there have been recent reports of new hotels being intended to house asylum seekers. It is possible this is what Sir James meant when he said Labour was 'opening up' hotels. We have contacted Sir James for comment. In recent weeks we have seen contrasting claims being made about the labour market – in particular, on how unemployment has changed since Labour came into Government in July 2024. There are a number of different sources of statistics on the labour market. These datasets all measure slightly different things, and as a result debate on employment, unemployment and jobs can often be confusing – for example, we regularly see seemingly contradictory claims on these topics made during Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs), when in fact each side is referring to completely different data. For instance, during some recent sessions of PMQs, both the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner have claimed that 384,000 jobs have been created under Labour. These claims have been challenged by the Conservative party and others, who have pointed out that under Labour unemployment has risen. This confusion is likely because Sir Keir and Ms Rayner are referring to workforce jobs data, which includes both employed and self-employed jobs and does indeed show a 384,000 increase in the number of jobs between June 2024 and March 2025 (the latest month for which figures are available). But these figures look at the number of jobs and are not comparable with data on actual employment (or unemployment), which looks at the number of people who are (or are not) working, as some people have more than one job. Going abroad four times a year will not flag you to HMRC for 'enhanced customs monitoring' We have seen a number of social media posts claiming that the Government is introducing a new system called 'enhanced customs monitoring' on August 4 to 'track UK residents who leave the country more than three times within a 12-month period' to check they are living within their means. But this is not true, and no such system exists. Videos circulating online claim that on someone's fourth trip abroad, an automatic alert will be sent to the 'mobility oversight unit', said to be a new branch under HMRC and the Home Office, which will check whether people's 'declared income, employment status and tax residency match [their] lifestyle'. The videos claim this new system was revealed after a leaked briefing was reported by the Guardian newspaper. They go on to say this includes both holidays and work trips, and all modes of travel. A spokesperson for HMRC confirmed the information is untrue and told Full Fact that 'this video is disinformation, designed to cause undue alarm and fear'. They added: 'Anyone wanting information on rules around taxation should go to or seek advice from a tax professional.' Full Fact could not find any results for 'enhanced customs monitoring' or a 'mobility oversight unit' on UK Government websites, or on the Guardian website.
The Independent
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Home Office working to ‘restore order' as council calls for asylum hotel to shut
The Home Office has said it is working to close hotels and 'restore order' after a council unanimously voted to urge the Government to shut a hotel housing asylum seekers following a series of protests around the site. Multiple demonstrations have been held outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, since July 13 after an asylum seeker was charged with allegedly attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl. Dozens of protesters gathered at the site again on Thursday evening. Police have made 18 arrests and charged seven people in connection with the demonstrations. The Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner has also reportedly urged the Home Secretary to review the use of the hotel for housing asylum seekers. Epping Forest District Council passed a motion on Thursday to call on the Government 'to immediately and permanently close' the hotel 'for the purposes of asylum processing'. The council unanimously voted in favour of the motion. On Friday, the Home Office said the new Failure to Travel policy is designed to tackle non-compliance by asylum seekers and will ensure individuals who are moved from hotels to suitable alternative accommodation must take it. Those who refuse to move without a valid reason will now risk losing their housing and support, the Home Office said. Dame Angela Eagle, minister for border security and asylum, said: 'We are working to close hotels, restore order, and put fairness and value for money at the heart of our asylum system. 'This Government is making those necessary decisions to protect the taxpayer and uphold the integrity of our borders. 'These reforms to the Failure to Travel policy are another example of this Government's action to transform the asylum accommodation system and crack down on those who abuse our system, so it operates fairly and saves the taxpayer money.' Asked specifically about the Epping Forest District Council vote, the Home Office said: ''We'll continue to work closely with local police and community partners, in Epping and across the country, as we fix this broken system.' In a letter to Yvette Cooper, the Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner said the hotel is unsuitable for housing migrants and is 'clearly creating community tension', the Telegraph reported. Roger Hirst continued: '(I am) requesting a meeting to discuss the ongoing use of hotels in the Epping Forest district of Essex, and elsewhere in the county, to accommodate newly arrived asylum seekers. 'Specifically, I am seeking to highlight the unsuitability of The Bell Hotel in Epping for this purpose, and request that its use be reviewed. The presence of asylum seeker accommodation in this district is clearly creating community tension. 'These large-scale protests are disrupting local life and placing an unwelcome burden on Essex Police resources.' Last Thursday's protest began peacefully but escalated into what officers described as 'scattered incidents of violence' targeting police and property. The force previously said a small number of people used that demonstration as cover to commit violent disorder and criminal damage. Eight officers were injured and a number of police vehicles were damaged as missiles were thrown. The latest developments come as police are braced for further protests, and the Government and law enforcement have vowed to act swiftly if unrest spreads. On Friday, dozens of protesters demonstrated outside a hotel in Canary Wharf which is reportedly set to be used to offer temporary accommodation for asylum seekers. The demonstration, organised by Stand up to Racism, took place outside the Britannia Hotel, with a group of anti-migrant protesters also present. More than 25 officers were in the vicinity to separate the two sides, with police vans carrying additional staff also patrolling Canary Wharf. Stand up to Racism placards read: 'Refugees welcome. Stop the far right.' Motorists passing the pro-migrant protest shouted towards the demonstration, saying 'send them home' and 'they get everything thrown at them'. A leaflet distributed by Stand up to Racism said a further protest would take place at Epping Tube station at 2pm on Sunday. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said on Thursday she was 'confident' the prison system was now robust enough to cope if riots were to erupt again. 'I'm confident we've taken the decisions that mean that we will always be able to respond,' she said. 'I'm not going to let us run out of prison places. 'Governments can't predict the future but our job is to make sure that we are capable of responding in a way that the public would expect and I'm confident we are in that position.'
Sky News
5 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News
Epping council demands government 'immediately' close asylum hotel – as Home Office works to 'restore order'
Epping council has unanimously voted to urge the government to shut a hotel housing asylum seekers after a series of protests. Epping Forest District Council in Essex passed a motion calling for the Bell Hotel to be "immediately and permanently" closed "for the purposes of asylum processing". Several demonstrations have been held outside the hotel since 13 July, after an asylum seeker was charged with allegedly attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl. Police have arrested 18 people and charged seven in connection with the protests. 2:53 At the council meeting, some criticised the disorder that has erupted during some of the protests, as well as the reported involvement of members of the far-right. Concerns that the hotel is close to a school were also raised. Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, from Ethiopia, denied sexually assaulting the 14-year-old girl at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court last week and will stand trial in August. Home Office 'working to restore order' The Home Office has vowed to "restore order," threatening on Friday to make asylum seekers homeless if they refuse a change of accommodation. It said a new "failure to travel" policy is looking to tackle "non-compliance by asylum seekers" and will ensure individuals who are moved from hotels to suitable alternative accommodation must take it. Those who refuse to move without a valid reason will now risk losing their housing and support, the Home Office said. 6:24 Dame Angela Eagle, minister for border security and asylum, said: "We are working to close hotels, restore order, and put fairness and value for money at the heart of our asylum system. "This government is making those necessary decisions to protect the taxpayer and uphold the integrity of our borders." Asked specifically about the Epping Forest District Council vote, the Home Office said: "We'll continue to work closely with local police and community partners, in Epping and across the country, as we fix this broken system." Meanwhile, police have launched an appeal to find two men in connection with disorder outside the Bell Hotel last Thursday. Protests began peacefully but escalated into what police described as "scattered incidents of violence," leaving eight officers injured. Police are braced for further protests, vowing to act swiftly if unrest spreads.
