Labour Urged to Accelerate Asylum Hotel Closures Amid Rising Tensions

Jo White, representing Bassetlaw and leading a group of approximately 40 Labour MPs from the party’s traditional constituencies, emphasized the need for more urgency in shutting down asylum hotels. While the current plan by Chancellor Rachel Reeves aims for their closure by the end of the 2029 parliamentary term, White believes this timeline must be shortened significantly.

The number of asylum seekers residing in hotels across the UK has reached around 32,000, leading to rising discontent among the public. This discontent was particularly evident during recent anti-migrant protests outside an Epping hotel, which saw multiple arrests following a serious incident involving a resident of that hotel accused of sexual offenses. Despite the serious allegations, the suspect, originally from Ethiopia, has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody.

In an interview with The Telegraph, White expressed the sentiment that many citizens view the existence of asylum hotels as a financial burden that detracts from potential investments in vital public services like the NHS and education. She articulated a shared frustration among Labour ministers and urged party leader Sir Keir Starmer to take action against what she termed the “incentives” that attract illegal migrants to the UK.

The issue is exacerbated by the alarming increase in migrant crossings, with a record 24,000 individuals making the journey across the Channel in just the first half of this year, marking a 48% increase compared to the same period last year. White did, however, recognize the practicality of a plan by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to collaborate with food delivery services to monitor the locations of asylum hotels, viewing it as a necessary step towards tackling illegal employment among migrants.

Despite these measures, White described last week’s violent protests as "frightening," underscoring that while feelings of anger towards the situation are understandable, aggression against asylum seekers must be condemned. Further complicating the asylum situation is the presence of over 40,000 failed asylum seekers who remain without clear housing while their appeals are processed.

In response to growing pressures, a government spokesperson highlighted the administration's commitment to reform the asylum system, including a pledge to close hotels and facilitate the removal of over 35,000 individuals without legal rights to remain in the UK.