Key facts
- The UK government will close 13 more hotels used to house asylum seekers.
- This closure brings the total number of hotels shut this year to 44.
- The government aims to end the use of hotels for asylum seekers by the end of the current parliament.
- Asylum seekers are typically relocated to alternative accommodations like houses of multiple occupancy or former military barracks.
- Some communities have experienced protests and division related to the use of hotels and barracks for asylum seekers.
The UK government is continuing its plan to close hotels used for housing asylum seekers, with an announcement that 13 more will cease operations. This brings the total number of hotels shut this year to 44, a move aligned with the Labour party's manifesto pledge to end the practice entirely by the end of the current parliamentary term. Immigration minister Anna Turley made the announcement, which aims to remove highly visible symbols of the contentious debate surrounding migration.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, has reiterated the pledge, emphasizing that all parts of the country should contribute to housing asylum seekers, not just the poorest communities. Data indicates that asylum seekers constitute a significantly higher percentage of the population in the most deprived areas compared to the least deprived.
When hotels close, asylum seekers are often moved with little notice to alternative accommodations such as houses of multiple occupancy (HMOs), former military barracks, or other, typically more basic, hotels. This transition can be difficult, forcing individuals to re-establish support networks like language classes and legal aid, sometimes hundreds of miles from their previous location. Some former military sites are being repurposed, with planning permission sought for several barracks to house asylum seekers, potentially accommodating thousands.
While politicians, support agencies, and the far-right agree on the need to close hotels, their reasons differ. For years, reports from inside these hotels have detailed issues such as infestations and poor food quality, contradicting narratives of a 'life of luxury'. Private accommodation providers have reportedly made substantial profits from Home Office contracts.
The closure of hotels can be a flashpoint for communities. While some hotels have operated without incident, others have become sites of intense protest and division, with far-right groups targeting accommodation sites. The government asserts that closing hotels will revitalize local economies by allowing them to once again attract visitors and support local businesses. However, the legacy of protests and division in some communities, like Epping following the closure of the Bell hotel, suggests that the impact of these changes can be long-lasting.