The Home Office has announced the closure of 11 hotels used to house asylum seekers, with about 350 claimants relocated to Crowborough military camp in East Sussex. The move is part of Labour's pledge to end the use of hotels for asylum accommodation before the next general election.
The government said the closures will save £65 million, with 185 hotels still in use, down from a peak of 400. Immigration minister Alex Norris stated that hotels were meant to be a temporary measure under the previous government but spiralled out of control, costing taxpayers billions.
However, the Refugee Council criticised the decision, arguing that military sites are unsuitable and more expensive than hotels. Imran Hussain, director of external affairs, said large sites isolate people from local communities and essential services, and called for a better approach, such as granting limited permission to stay for people from countries like Sudan and Iran.
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp claimed there are now more asylum seekers in hotels than at the time of the election, accusing the government of shunting people into residential apartments, which he said reduces housing availability for young people.
Protests outside asylum hotels have become tense, with violent incidents including an attempted arson attack in Rotherham in August 2024. The Home Office is also scaling up large sites and removing record numbers of people with no right to remain.
