The Home Office has announced that asylum seekers who refuse to move out of hotels into alternative accommodation will have their support withdrawn. The move comes ahead of further protests at the Bell hotel in Essex, where tensions have been high following incidents of disorder.
Angela Eagle, a Home Office minister, stated that the government is working to 'close hotels, restore order, and put fairness and value for money at the heart of our asylum system'. The government is concerned about the risk of unrest spreading after nine people were charged with offences related to protests at the Bell hotel.
The protests were partly orchestrated by far-right figures, with demonstrations spreading to other locations. The Epping protest was sparked by the charging of asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu with sexual assault, which he denies. The new 'failure to travel guidance' will deny single men the right to stay in hotels if they have turned down suitable accommodation without a valid reason.
Refugee charities argue that the policy is not new and that similar terms were already applied. They say most cases of refusal involve communication failures or system problems. A further demonstration at the Bell hotel is planned for Sunday, with counter-protesters expected.
In Canary Wharf, dozens of protesters demonstrated outside the Britannia International hotel, which is reportedly to be used for asylum seekers. The demonstration was organised by Stand Up to Racism, with a group of anti-migrant protesters also present. Police were on hand to separate the two sides.
