Latest news with #asylum
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Migrant hotel threatens closure if just asylum-seeking men are housed on site
A migrant hotel has warned it will close if the Home Office begins placing men at the site instead of families. The Park Hotel in Diss, Norfolk, said it is currently contracted to accommodate families only and has made clear to the Home Office that it 'will have no alternative but to close' if that changes. In the statement shared to social media the hotel said: 'The Park Hotel has been contracted by the Home Office to provide accommodation for families. 'This arrangement presently remains in place, despite recent public statements suggesting otherwise. 'We have advised the Home Office and other stakeholders that should this situation change, and we are formally notified that the hotel will no longer operate as a family-only establishment, we will have no alternative but to close the Hotel.' It said there are currently 'vulnerable families and children staying at the hotel – many of whom are feeling frightened and uncertain about recent events at the Hotel and their futures'. 'We ask for understanding and sensitivity from both the public and the media during this time, as we continue to provide support to those in our accommodation,' the statement added. It comes amid mounting local tensions over the use of the hotel to house asylum seekers, with around 60 protesters gathering outside the premises on Wednesday night to voice their anger at the Government's decision. They were met by around 30 counter-protesters from campaign group Stand Up to Racism, who held signs reading 'refugees welcome'. The Home Office has not commented directly on the hotel's warning but has previously said the use of hotels is a temporary measure and all placements are made following risk assessments. The hotel has long served as a local business and venue for tourism, weddings and events. The Park Hotel refused to comment when approached by the PA news agency.
The Independent
an hour ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Migrant hotel threatens closure if just asylum-seeking men are housed on site
A migrant hotel has warned it will close if the Home Office begins placing men at the site instead of families. The Park Hotel in Diss, Norfolk, said it is currently contracted to accommodate families only and has made clear to the Home Office that it 'will have no alternative but to close' if that changes. In the statement shared to social media the hotel said: 'The Park Hotel has been contracted by the Home Office to provide accommodation for families. 'This arrangement presently remains in place, despite recent public statements suggesting otherwise. 'We have advised the Home Office and other stakeholders that should this situation change, and we are formally notified that the hotel will no longer operate as a family-only establishment, we will have no alternative but to close the Hotel.' It said there are currently 'vulnerable families and children staying at the hotel – many of whom are feeling frightened and uncertain about recent events at the Hotel and their futures'. 'We ask for understanding and sensitivity from both the public and the media during this time, as we continue to provide support to those in our accommodation,' the statement added. It comes amid mounting local tensions over the use of the hotel to house asylum seekers, with around 60 protesters gathering outside the premises on Wednesday night to voice their anger at the Government's decision. They were met by around 30 counter-protesters from campaign group Stand Up to Racism, who held signs reading 'refugees welcome'. The Home Office has not commented directly on the hotel's warning but has previously said the use of hotels is a temporary measure and all placements are made following risk assessments. The hotel has long served as a local business and venue for tourism, weddings and events. The Park Hotel refused to comment when approached by the PA news agency.
The Sun
an hour ago
- Politics
- The Sun
‘Epping migrant hotel protester' is arrested in at home raid as ring of steel ramps up around TWO asylum seeker centres
POLICE arrested a suspect in a home raid after disorder broke out over taxpayer-funded asylum seeker hotels. Essex Police released bodycam footage of the arrest, as they demanded the man put his hands up before handcuffing him in his living room. 11 11 11 11 Detectives searched his home for clothing the man in his 20s allegedly wore on a day of disorder. The protest, outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, began peacefully but escalated into what officers described as "scattered incidents of violence" targeting police and property. Eight officers were injured and a number of police vehicles were damaged as missiles were thrown. The arrest took place at 5.45pm yesterday in Harlow, and he is being questioned in suspect. In the video, a cop can be heard saying: "Hello mate, you all right? Put your hands up for me. You are going to be arrested, you are under arrest for section two violent disorder for an offence that occurred on July 17. "You do not have to say anything but it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence. "The reason for your arrest is so we can interview you about it and also do post arrest searches. "We will be searching for items of clothing you were wearing on the day. Understand?" Cops have now made 16 arrests for offences including violent disorder and criminal damage, and six people have been charged. Kenneth Blissett, 34, of Harlow, was charged with theft of police equipment and possession of an offensive weapon. Farage fury as cops admit ESCORTING pro-migrant protesters to Essex asylum hotel He is on bail and is due to appear at Colchester Magistrates' Court on September. Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper said: 'We'd promised that we'd continue our investigations into the unacceptable actions of a small number of people who chose to take advantage of peaceful protest to try to cause harm to people in Epping or to property. 'We've been analysing footage and we have investigators and trained detectives working on this operation. 'We are identifying suspects and there will be more arrests in the coming days. 'Put simply: If you turn up to try to cause trouble, you won't get away with it.' 11 11 ESSEX POLICE UNDER SCRUTINY It comes after the Chief Constable of Essex Police refused to resign after footage showed officers escorting pro-migrant activists to an asylum seeker hotel. Essex Police had initially denied it brought demonstrators from Stand Up to Racism to the Bell Hotel in Epping before clashes with anti-migrant protesters last Sunday (July 17). The force changed its tune after being shown footage of the activists apparently being led by officers from a station to outside the hotel while holding placards. However, while accepting it provided a "foot cordon", the force has denied claims today it specifically "bussed" the counter-protesters to the hotel. Essex Police are continuing to face heavy scrutiny over its handling of the protests. A spokesperson for the force added: "Misinformation has circulated online suggesting we 'bussed in' counter protestors during a recent protest in Epping on Thursday 17 July. "This is categorically untrue. "Groups of protestors and counter-protestors – each of which have a legal right to peacefully protest in a public location – attempted to travel to the Bell Hotel on foot, to demonstrate outside the site. "This is their right and it is not for the police to prevent any one group from doing so, if they are doing so lawfully and peacefully. "However, officers were aware of a need to keep the groups separate and to keep the peace. "Therefore, officers ensured they maintained a presence around each group. This also took place on foot. "This effectively constituted a walking cordon around a group of counter protestors as they walked through Epping in the direction of the protest. "No counter protestors were brought to the scene via police transport." 11 11 PREPARATIONS IN CANARY WHARF It comes as the near 500-room Britannia Hotel in London 's Canary Wharf is currently preparing for migrants to arrive. Photos today show new beds and mattresses being unloaded and carried into the four star hotel in the heart of the capital's swanky docklands, and where rooms can typically cost up to £469 a night. A spokesman for Tower Hamlets council said: 'We are aware of the Government's decision to use the Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf to provide temporary accommodation for asylum seekers. 'It is important that the Government ensures that there is a full package of support for those staying at the hotel. 'We are working with the Home Office and partners to make sure that all necessary safety and safeguarding arrangements are in place.' The Home Office has reserved more than 400 beds at the Britannia International Hotel, agreeing a deal for £81 per night for each migrant who stays there. It has been confirmed that no asylum seekers are currently living there. The Home Office reserves beds in empty hotel rooms in case of a surge in crossings over the summer period. Home Office sources revealed to The Sun that the average cost per night for a hotel room for a migrant is now £118.87, down from £162.16 in March 2023. Housing asylum seekers in hotels costs the taxpayer £5.77million a day. According to websites such as the hotel is not taking reservations. Police were seen guarding outside last night as protesters gathered. The hotel sits on the waterfront of the South Dock. 11 EPPING PROTESTS Chaos was sparked outside the hotel in Epping last week after an asylum seeker appeared in court charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. The unrest saw yobs launching themselves on riot vans, smashing windshields and ripping off wingmirrors in senseless displays of "hooliganism". One thug was even run over while attempting to stop a police van gaining access to the hotel. Another man had his teeth knocked out after riot cops smashed a shield into his face in a brutal clash. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said "heads will roll" over the escort, which he alleged was done to "force a confrontation". The protest was sparked by a 38-year-old Ethiopian asylum seeker who was arrested and later charged with three counts of sexual assault, one count of inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity and one count of harassment without violence. Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, who had been living at the Bell Hotel, in Epping, Essex, denies sexual assault. He appeared at Colchester Magistrates' Court on Thursday, July 10, where he denied all charges. His arrest led to multiple protests in the region, culminating in the violent clashes. Since tensions reached boiling point, violent demonstrations have cost the force £100,000. There are about 210 hotels under contracts with the Home Office to house migrants. A Sun investigation revealed 339 defendants who had been living at asylum hotels had appeared in magistrates' courts already this year. Sir Keir Starmer released a statement in response to the growing tensions. "Well, I think it's obviously important that communities know that we are working to reduce the number of asylum hotels," said the PM's spokesperson. "That is a clear government policy. But it's also important that legitimate protest doesn't cross over into something else, and we would always hope that communities would respect that. "But we are, and I think the Prime Minister is on record as saying, about the need to cut migration, both lawfully and illegal migration, and that is something that you're seeing in working on tirelessly over the last year, whether it be the agreement with the French last week or the agreement with the German government yesterday, that is a priority for this government. "It is something that requires international solutions, and that is why you're seeing this flurry of activity from this government to tackle these gangs from every possible angle.' 'HEADS MUST ROLL' Fury as cops admit ESCORTING pro-migrant protesters to Epping asylum hotel where violent clashes erupted By Ryan Merrifield COPS have admitted escorting pro-migrant protesters to an asylum hotel before violence erupted. Essex Police had initially denied it brought demonstrators from Stand Up to Racism to the Bell Hotel in Epping before clashes with anti-migrant protesters last Sunday (July 17). The force changed its tune after being shown footage of the activists apparently being led by officers from a station to outside the hotel while holding placards. Six people have been charged with offences related to the disorder. However, while accepting it provided a "foot cordon", the force has denied claims today it specifically "bussed" the counter-protesters to the hotel. Essex Police are continuing to face heavy scrutiny over its handling of the protests. In a press conference today, Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington said: "It is not for Essex Police to make a judgement about asylum or immigration policy." He added that the police are there to "make sure that people can go about their rights and business lawfully" and not judge asylum policy. Asked if he is considering his position the Essex Police chief said: "The issue is not about my resignation, the issue is about an effective policing operation." Nigel Farage earlier blasted the police chief and said 'there is no way chief constable BJ Harrington can stay in position.'
The Guardian
4 hours ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Epping asylum hotel protesters ‘upset for legitimate reasons', minister says
Protesters outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Epping are 'upset for legitimate reasons', a cabinet minister has said, as police brace for further unrest over the coming days. Jonathan Reynolds, the business and trade secretary, said there was 'huge frustration that is shared by the government' about the asylum system and the pressures it created on housing. Police have issued a dispersal order at Epping after a series of demonstrations outside Bell hotel, which broke out after an Ethiopian asylum seeker who had recently arrived on a small boat was charged with sexual assault against a local girl. Hundreds of people, many of them local residents, have been participating in the protests. Far-right activists have become involved in promoting them online and have been present, in some cases clashing with police. Officers are braced for further protests on Thursday evening and over the weekend. Asked whether he was worried about the unrest spreading, Reynolds told Sky News the government, police and other enforcement agencies were 'prepared for all situations'. 'I think what we've got to talk about is: why are people unhappy with, say, the asylum system? Are they reasonable? Are they upset for legitimate reasons? Yes, we share those as a government,' he said. 'That is why we are sorting it out. 'And I understand the frustrations people have, but ultimately, you solve those frustrations and solve the problem by fixing and getting a grip of the core issue, which is what we're doing.' Reynolds said the number of hotels being used to house asylum seekers in the UK had halved from 400 to about 200. Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Reynolds said there was 'frustration, huge frustration, that is shared by the government. I think what people felt under the last government was that it was completely out of control'. 'There is clearly more to do but that came from an asylum system where there wasn't a proper grip of it ... We are starting to change that […] the number of deportations is up, there are fewer asylum hotels.' Reynolds said 'the solution is not putting people in different forms of accommodation, it's about having a system where if people shouldn't be in the UK, they have to leave the UK'. He added that voters were unhappy about the way net migration had continued to rise after Brexit and felt 'that was not the deal that they voted for', saying: 'You can be pro-talent and people coming to the UK and also say there's got to be control, there's got to be limits.' Tiff Lynch, the chair of the Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, warned police could be diverted from neighbourhood duties to keep the peace at protests if the unrest spread over the summer. In an article for the Daily Telegraph, Lynch said the protests in Epping were a 'signal flare' for more and that police officers were being 'pulled in every direction'. 'It is dangerous to assume that they can continue to hold the line indefinitely, without the support they need or the recognition they deserve,' she wrote. Essex police have issued a dispersal order in Epping that is in force from 2pm on Thursday until 8am on Friday. It gives officers the power to tell anyone suspected of committing or planning antisocial behaviour to leave the area or face arrest.
BBC News
5 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Public frustrated by asylum seeker housing, says minister Jonathan Reynolds
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has said the government shares the public's "huge frustration" at the pressure the asylum system puts on housing to the BBC, he acknowledged concern about the Home Office competing with local councils to find temporary homes for asylum seekers and homeless people respectively. He said the solution lay in building more homes, processing asylum applications faster, removing those with no right to be in the UK and cutting small boat crossings. Earlier this week, the Conservatives criticised Sir Keir Starmer for claiming there was "lots of housing in many local authorities" to provide temporary accommodation for homeless families. The Conservative's new shadow housing secretary Sir James Cleverly said the remarks had "amplified" the frustrations of people who were trying to get on the housing past week has seen ongoing demonstrations outside a hotel in Epping being used to house asylum seekers. The prime minister made the remark when appearing at the Liaison Committee, a group of senior MPs. Labour MP Dame Meg Hillier, who chairs the Treasury Committee, asked the prime minister where the government was going to house homeless people, given that the price of temporary accommodation had been driven up by the need to house asylum replied: "Oh, there is lots of housing and many local authorities that can be used, and we're identifying where it can be used."Pressed for specific examples, Sir Keir said he would write to the about the comments on the Today programme, Reynolds said the prime minister "was talking about, in lengthy way, we need to put more in place to solve the housing crisis. "We're doing that and there are several options that can be considered for British families in temporary accommodation." Speaking to the same programme, chair of the Housing Committee Florence Eshalomi said councils were "at breaking point when it comes to housing supply".She said her committee had been told that between 2023- 2024, local councils had spent a total of £2.3bn on temporary accommodation and that the numbers in temporary accommodation had risen by 11% in the past year. Asked about the Sir Keir's comments, she said she would "welcome seeing the detail the prime minister was alluding to". She said it "cannot be right" that the Home Office and local authorities were having to compete for the same accommodation and that there needed to be better "co-operation" between government departments. She also said more social housing - housing that can be rented at affordable levels - needed to be built in order to ease the pressures. Figures released earlier this year found that a record 123,000 families were living in temporary housing in accommodation refers to accommodation which is organised by the local authority but is not a permanent home. It can include hotels, hostels or caravans. It is provided to those who are homeless, while they wait for longer term housing. Priority is given to those at risk of abuse from a partner or relative, pregnant women, people with dependent children or those who are homeless because of a fire or flood. Separately, the government is required by law to provide accommodation to destitute asylum seekers, while their application is being processed. In general asylum seekers are not allowed to work and earn money until their claim has been completed, although there are some exceptions. Since 2020, there has been an increased in using hotels to provide this accommodation. As of March 2025, there were 32,345 people in asylum hotels, up from 29,585 at the end of June 2024, but lower than the total in December. The Home Office's annual accounts show a third less was spent on hotels to house asylum seekers between April 2024 and March 2025, falling from £3bn to £2.1bn. A senior Home Office source told the BBC one of the main factors behind the saving was moving some asylum seekers from hotels into other types of cheaper said the department had prioritised moving families and children into regular housing so they were not living in hotels for long periods of government has said it wants to end the use of hotels to house asylum seekers altogether and Reynold told the BBC the number of hotels being used had fallen from a peak of 400 to 200. However, he added: "The solution is not about putting people into different forms of accommodation"It's about having a system where if people shouldn't be in the UK they have to leave the UK."That is government policy... it is about having a system that processes the claims at the pace they should be processed and doesn't leave people in limbo."
