The UK government is set to remove hundreds of asylum seekers from nine hotels across England in the coming weeks, as part of efforts to manage the ongoing asylum crisis more effectively.
The Home Office plans to relocate asylum seekers from hotels in areas like Windsor Castle, the West Midlands, and Cheshire, following concerns of community tensions and far-right protests. Manor Hotel in Datchet, Berkshire, located near the royal residence, is among the hotels that will be emptied by July.
Local reports have highlighted issues in Datchet, with some residents describing the area as being transformed into a “hellhole” due to the presence of asylum seekers. The Home Office aims to place those relocated from the hotels into longer-term temporary housing, such as flats or shared homes.
The decision to remove asylum seekers from these hotels comes amid increasing pressure from Labour backbenchers concerned about the backlog of asylum applications. Labour leader Keir Starmer had previously pledged to end the use of asylum hotels, which he claimed cost taxpayers billions of pounds annually.
A government spokesperson confirmed the removal of asylum seekers from nine hotels, following the closure of 13 others since the start of the year. They added that the government is addressing the challenges left by previous administrations in the asylum system and is implementing a sustainable plan to end the expensive use of asylum hotels.
In Datchet, the village’s proximity to the royal family has drawn attention to local concerns. Reports of tensions between asylum seekers and the local community, including allegations of racist behaviour, have surfaced. However, local business owners like Mo Tariq defended the asylum seekers, describing them as polite individuals facing difficult circumstances.
The Home Office is also removing asylum seekers from other hotels, including Coventry Hill Hotel in the West Midlands, which has been targeted by far-right protesters. Additional hotels affected include Best Western Cambridge Bar Hill in Cambridgeshire, the Icon Hotel in Luton, and others in Hull, Gateshead, Hillingdon, and London.
Increased processing of asylum applications and efforts to rationalise accommodation options have led to the reduction in the number of hotels used for housing asylum seekers. The Home Office is also focused on reducing the number of individuals with no right to remain in the UK, with more than 20,000 people having been removed so far.
Nearly 7,000 asylum seekers have arrived in the UK by small boats so far this year, with more expected.
