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BBC News
6 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Epping asylum seekers afraid to exit hotel during protests
Asylum seekers living at a hotel focused on by protesters have been left too scared to go outside, a charity boss groups have clashed outside The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, during several demonstrations since 13 Smith, the chief executive of Refugee charity Care4Calais, claimed at least one of the migrants had been chased by protesters while out for a officers have made 18 arrests and charged ten people in connection with disorder outside the hotel on High Road. Tensions heightened on 17 July, when missiles were thrown and constables were hurt during clashes. Mr Smith, whose staff have been supporting the asylum seekers, said the alleged violence left many "too worried" to go outside."It's a pretty depressing situation to find yourself in, when you've already been through significant terrors elsewhere in the world," he said."Some of the residents have told us how they've been chased by the far-right when they simply went out for a walk or to buy milk."It reminded them of the reasons why they've been forced to leave their home countries in the first place," he added. The charity boss said an 80-year-old worker had a brick thrown at him during an episode of disorder outside the seekers have been housed there since 2020, it is on Thursday evening, Epping Forest District Council voted to urge the government to close the hotel, which the BBC understands is housing about 140 venue has been thrust into the national spotlight after a man living there was charged with sexual assault, harassment and inciting a girl to engage in sexual Kebatu, 41, from Ethiopia, has denied the offences and remains on remand in custody. During the council meeting, Janet Whitehouse, a Liberal Democrat councillor, said: "I agree that The Bell Hotel needs to be closed but we don't know the circumstances of the individuals who have been placed there. "Sadly there are many places in the world where there is conflict and people have to flee."Chris Whitbread, the Conservative leader of the authority, suggested there were "not the facilities here to support them" in Epping. 'Real world consequences' Ben-Julian Harrington, the chief constable of Essex Police, urged people to not spread misinformation online about the to reporters on Wednesday, he said malicious rumours were having "real world consequences", but stressed most protesters had been Solomon, the chief executive of Refugee Council, added on Friday: "Rhetoric that dehumanises people who've come to Britain seeking sanctuary creates a climate where violence can flourish."He accused a "violent majority" of hijacking concerns about asylum hotels, stating their use had become "flashpoints". People living in Epping who have been protesting against the use of the hotel as migrant accommodation have told the BBC they felt less safe in the town since it was used for asylum told BBC Essex: "I walk up and down the High Street all the time. I've lived in Epping all my life, I've never seen anything like this and I talk to people all the time, so I know that the concerns they have are real."Police received 2,000 fewer reports of crime in the Epping district in the year to the end of June, compared with the 12 months to June total, 9,049 offences were reported over the most recent period.A Home Office spokesman said it was working to close asylum hotels and "restore order". Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Telegraph
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
French plan to intercept migrant boats at sea faces legal threat
French plans to intercept people smugglers guiding small boats at sea – so-called 'taxi boats' – could be blocked by legal action. The charity that successfully helped block Dame Priti Patel's plans to turn back migrant boats in the Channel has said it is ready to support any migrants or organisations seeking to mount a court challenge. Care4Calais, which also launched the first legal challenge to the Tories' Rwanda deportation plan, said it had not ruled out mounting a court action itself against the 'dangerous' tactics. The move comes as France prepares to start intercepting migrant 'taxi boats' at sea for the first time. The tactics have yet to be finalised but are expected to see border police, gendarmes and coastguard vessels stop boats from leaving waters within 300 metres of the coastline. It is thought they will aim to intercept the 'taxi boats' packed with migrants not only in shallow waters as they leave the beaches but also when they make their way from rivers and inland waterways, often miles away, to pick up the asylum seekers. Until now, France has refused to intervene in the water because it claims maritime laws prevent it from taking action that could put lives at sea at risk. But government ministers overseeing migration policy have given the green light to do so while 'respecting' the 'law of the sea'. It comes as the number of Channel migrants reaching the UK passed 40,000 since Labour took power last year. Some 489 people arrived in eight boats on Tuesday, bringing the total since the general election in July 2024 to 40,276. A record 17,034 have crossed this year – the highest number at this point since the first arrivals in 2018 and up nearly 40 per cent on the same point last year. Steve Smith, the chief executive of Care4Calais and a former Army colonel, said it would be 'dangerous' to try to intercept the boats even with just a few people-smugglers on board as they steered the dinghies to the beaches to pick up the migrants. 'It would be impossibly dangerous if you were to try to stop them when there are women and children on board or trying to get on board. Some of the drownings that have happened have been very, very close to the coast, within a stone's throw,' he said. 'If it happens when they are not trying to ram you or intercept you, what is going to happen when they do try to do so. It is almost certainly going to result in deaths.' Mr Smith said that if an organisation or individual came forward seeking to mount a legal challenge, 'we would support them and offer advice', as the charity had done in successful legal challenges to the Tories' Rwanda policy and the housing of migrants in the former RAF base at Wethersfield, in Essex. He added: 'It is not beyond the realms of possibility that we take it on ourselves, but it is more likely we would support claimants.' Care4Calais joined the Border Force union and other charities to successfully force the Home Office in 2022 to drop its plans to push back migrant boats at sea after seeking judicial review of the policy for breaching the Refugee Convention, and human rights act. The French interior ministry insisted that any attempts to intercept the 'taxi boats' will respect the principles of the UN Convention on the law of the Sea. It creates a duty for all ship captains to rescue anyone in danger at sea, regardless of their nationality or status. France is aiming for the tactics to be in place in time for the Franco-British summit, which begins on July 8, when Emmanuel Macron, the French president, will travel to London for a state visit.
The Independent
16-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Refugee charities demand meeting with Yvette Cooper after sweeping changes to immigration rules
Yvette Cooper should urgently meet with refugee charities after they were ignored ahead of the government's sweeping changes to immigration rules, according to a letter signed by more than 100 civil society organisations. In the joint letter, which has been signed by organisations including Refugee Council, Care4Calais and Choose Love, charities have called on the home secretary to meet with them and with some of the migrants they support. Senior charity leaders have sent repeated requests to meet with Ms Cooper since the election but have had their invites turned down, The Independent understands. The call comes after Sir Keir Starmer warned that the UK risks becoming 'an island of strangers' as he laid out plans aimed at significantly reducing immigration. Among the measures announced were a ban on the recruitment of care workers from overseas, increased English language requirements for immigrants, and the tightening of access to skilled worker visas. In the letter, organised by migrant charity Praxis, charities, legal advice providers and civil society organisations told Ms Cooper that 'the decisions made by your department have profound consequences for the people we serve'. They added: 'The rise in racial discrimination, hate crime against migrants and British people of colour, and targeted attacks by the far right highlights the urgent need for those most affected to have a meaningful voice in shaping government policy through genuine consultation.' They added: 'We respectfully urge you to agree to meet with us and with migrants affected by the government's policy choices. We remain ready to engage constructively, and we believe that a meaningful dialogue between the home secretary and civil society is not only necessary, but in the public interest'. Minnie Rahman, CEO of Praxis, added: ' There have been many formal requests for meetings with Ms Cooper since the election from CEOs across the sector, including those organised by Praxis and Asylum Matters, and none have been successful. 'We're not aware of anyone who has had a positive response to requests to meet with her and we've all made requests in various forms.' Despite comparisons of the prime minister's language to that of Enoch Powell, Ms Cooper defended his immigration speech, saying Sir Keir's words were 'completely different' to those used in the infamous 1968 rivers of blood speech. Under the new plans, foreign workers will no longer have the right to apply for settlement in the UK after five years, instead extending their wait to 10 years. The required level of English needed for visa holders has also been increased. Charities have also raised concerns that tough requirements on English levels and financial support could be introduced for refugee family members. Sir Keir also announced on Thursday that the UK had begun talks to send failed asylum seekers to foreign countries while they await deportation. Speaking during a visit to Albania, Sir Keir said officials were having discussions about using 'return hubs' outside the UK. However the Albanian prime minister Edi Rama ruled his country out of the discussions, telling journalists that an Albanian migrant processing centre used by Italy was a 'one off'.
Daily Mirror
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
PM backlash over 'island of strangers' migrant speech - 'divisive and dangerous'
Keir Starmer has come under fire after claiming uncontrolled immigration risks turning the UK into an 'island of strangers". The PM was accused of using 'shameful and dangerous' language, with campaigners warning his words 'will only inflame the fire of the far-right'. In a bullish speech in Downing Street Mr Starmer also claimed a reliance on low-paid labour from overseas is 'contributing to the forces that are slowly pulling our country apart'. His choice of words sparked a fierce backlash. Labour backbencher Nadia Whittome responded: 'The step-up in anti-migrant rhetoric from the government is shameful and dangerous.' She added that Labour was not elected to 'parrot Reform's scapegoating', and asked in the Commons why Labour is "apeing Reform". Former Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell - who was suspended last year after rebelling over the two-child benefit cap - accused the PM of "reflecting the language" of Enoch Powell's notoriously racist "rivers of blood" speech in the 1960s. The Independent MP said: "When the Prime Minister referred to ... an island of strangers, reflecting the language of Enoch Powell, does she (Home Secretary Yvette Cooper) realise how shockingly divisive that could be?" Keir Starmer's immigration white paper - the key details you need to know Ms Cooper responded: "The point that the Prime Minister has repeatedly made is that we need people to be able to integrate, to be able to be part of our communities, to be able to share with our neighbours, and that does mean being able to speak English." Also hitting out was Labour backbencher Olivia Blake, who warned the PM's words "risk legitimising the same far-right violence we saw in last year's summer riots". And Steve Smith, chief executive of refugee charity Care4Calais said: 'This is dangerous language for any prime minister to use. Has Starmer forgotten last year's far-right riots? 'Shameful language like this will only inflame the fire of the far-right and risks further race riots that endanger survivors of horrors such as war, torture and modern slavery.' Migration minister Seema Malhotra hit back at suggestions that Mr Starmer's choice of words was anti-migrant. She said: "What that really recognises is that without ways in which we've got common ties that bind us together, the way in which we can communicate well with each other, neighbours can talk to each other, people can play a part and play a role in their communities, that we risk being communities that live side by side, rather than work and walk together." It came after Mr Starmer unveiled a string of measures including an end to social care visas, moves to prevent 'abusive' asylum claims and doubling the standard time people have to live in the UK before being allowed to settle. Speaking as Labour's long-awaited immigration strategy was released, the PM vowed: 'Now, make no mistake, this plan means migration will fall. That's a promise.' But he refused to commit to a specific target. Care industry chiefs have hit out at the decision to scrap social care visas to new applications from abroad. Last year there were 131,000 vacancies in the sector - a shortage the Government says it will tackle by introducing fair pay agreements to attract UK workers. But Professor Nicola Ranger, general secretary and chief executive of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), said yesterday(MON): 'The UK is so reliant on overseas workers, especially in social care and the Government has no plan to grow a domestic workforce. 'This is all about politics. Pandering. Scapegoating. This should be about people.' The Government says it will permit visa extensions and allow people with care worker visas to switch jobs until 2028. It said workers are at highest risk of abuse and exploitation. In a rebuke to 'squeamish' Labour MPs, Mr Starmer said: 'I actually think that the Labour Party has as its core values the idea that immigration should be controlled, it should be selective, we should be choosing who we want with high skills, high talent routes into our country. 'And it must be fair, they're basic Labour arguments and concepts for many, many years.' Speaking at a press conference the Prime Minister accused the Tories of dishonestly overseeing a 'one-nation experiment in open borders'. He claimed this led to a 'downward pressure' on wages, telling the nation: 'Well, no more. Today, this Labour Government is shutting down the lab. The experiment is over.' Chancellor Rachel Reeves watched on as Mr Starmer said the 'link doesn't hold' that higher immigration leads to economic growth. Last year net migration - the number of arrivals minus the total who leave - was 906,000, four times higher than the 224,000 recorded in 2019. New rules mean migrants applying to come to the UK under skilled workers visas will have to be educated to degree level. And access to the points-based immigration system will be limited to occupations where there has been a long term shortage. Employers will be required to invest in boosting domestic training - and could be barred from recruiting from overseas if they fail to do so. Universities will be ordered to pay a levy on international students, to be reinvested in skills, with stricter requirements for those who come to the UK to study. The document said the Government will seek to revoke visas and remove people who commit a 'much wider range of crimes'. Government sources said these are likely to include assault, burglaries, sex offences or prolific shoplifting - which would not necessarily result in a prison sentence. Ministers also vowed to clamp down on people who arrive with a 'pre-existing' intention to claim asylum on work and study visas. Language requirements will be tightened for workers and their dependents. And the requirements for permanent settlement are set to be reformed, the white paper says, increasing the standard qualifying time from five to ten years. People will be able to reduce this time based on 'contributions to the UK economy and society', the strategy states. Home Secretary Ms Cooper stated: 'We are clear that this chaotic system is unsustainable, and so too are the record levels of net migration we have inherited. 'We know that economic migration can help fill skills shortages and bring top international talent. But it should never be an alternative to training and recruiting at home.'
NDTV
12-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
UK PM Announces Major Immigration Reform, Slammed For "Shameful Language"
London: In an announcement that may impact tens of thousands of people who aim to make the United Kingdom their home, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged to significantly reduce the net migration in the country by the end of this parliament. This is the first major move in years to overhaul the immigration system in the UK. Prime Minister Starmer, whose primary objective is to give impetus to growth amid economic stagnation, has debunked the theory that higher migration results in higher growth. "The theory that higher migration numbers leads to growth has been tested in the last four years," he said in response to a question on migration, adding that "That link doesn't hold on that evidence." The prime minister went on to say that those who want to be British citizens will now have to live there twice as long to be granted one. Speaking about the new immigration policy, Prime Minister Starmer said, "The UK has underinvested in skills and growth. This white paper is not just a white paper on immigration, it is also a white paper that leads to skills and training." He evaded a question on whether UK's net migration - Inflow of migrants to the UK minus outflow of migrants from the UK - would fall each year between now and the next general election, but confirmed that it would fall by the end of this parliament. The silver lining for those wanting to migrate to the UK remains in the fact that Prime Minister Starmer has refused to put a cap on the total number of individuals who will be permitted to go to the UK. In his opening remarks, the prime minister said that the intent behind curbing immigration in the UK was to prevent the country from becoming "an island of strangers". He said that his move must be seen as a "strategy absolutely essential to my plan for change, that will finally take back control of our borders, and close the book on a squalid chapter for our politics, our economy, and our country." Touching upon the Brexit sentiment of "take back control", Mr Starmer said, "everyone knows what it meant on immigration". Targeting the previous government he charged that "between 2019 and 2023, even as they were going round our country telling people with a straight face that they would get immigration down, net migration quadrupled." Prime Minister Starmer has been accused of speaking right-wing party Reform UK's leader Nigel Farage's language at the press conference. Refugee charity Care4Calais has accused the prime minister of "fanning the fire of the far-right" over his "island of strangers" remark. Demanding a public apology from the PM, Care4Calais CEO, Steve Smith said, "This is dangerous language for any prime minister to use. Has Starmer forgotten last year's far-right riots?" "Shameful language like this will only inflame the fire of the far-right and risks further race riots that endanger survivors of horrors such as war, torture and modern slavery. Starmer must apologise," he added.
