Quarter of Migrant Hotels to be Returned to Public Use

Government Announces Plan to Phase Out 100 Hotels by Spring

Ministers have revealed that a quarter of migrant hotels in the UK will be returned to public use by the spring. Currently, there are over 47,000 asylum seekers housed in 400 hotels across the country, costing £8 million per day. The announcement comes after Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick acknowledged the negative impact of using hotels and the decrease in demand due to a decline in crossings. The phased approach will see 50 hotels closed by the end of January and another 50 by the end of March.

Reduced Room Sharing and Potential Surge Beds

The reduction in the number of hotels needed has been attributed to room sharing among asylum seekers, as well as plans to house arrivals in former military bases. However, the government will keep 5,000 beds on standby in case of a sudden increase in migrant numbers that overwhelms processing centers.

Government's Commitment to Address Community Concerns

Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick assured the House of Commons that the government will continue to implement its strategy to prevent illegal crossings and minimize the impact of housing arrangements on local communities. He stated, "We are putting in place dedicated resources to facilitate the orderly and effective management of this process and limit the impact on local communities."

Criticism from Opposition

The Labour Party criticized the government's plan, with Shadow Immigration Minister Stephen Kinnock accusing Mr. Jenrick of inadequate action. Kinnock compared the situation to an arsonist expecting gratitude for attempting to put out a fire. In response, Mr. Jenrick criticized the Labour Party's proposal to create new towns, claiming they would become home to illegal migrants.