Dozens of protests are expected outside hotels used as temporary accommodation for asylum seekers across Britain this weekend, as tensions over the issue continue to rise. Figures released on Thursday revealed that more than 32,000 asylum seekers are currently housed in hotels, an increase of 8% during Labour's first year in office.
Anti-migrant demonstrations and counter-protests organised by Stand Up to Racism are planned for Friday and Saturday, with locations including Bournemouth, near Cardiff airport, Leeds, Perth and Aberdeen. Two weekends ago, 3,000 riot police were deployed, but the National Police Chiefs' Council said that additional national mobilisation for this weekend's protests has not been deemed necessary, though plans remain in place should the situation change.
Meanwhile, councils controlled by Labour, the Conservatives and Reform UK are exploring legal challenges against asylum hotels. This follows a temporary injunction granted to Epping Forest council on Tuesday, blocking the housing of asylum seekers at the Bell hotel in Essex. Broxbourne council is considering a similar challenge to shut down the Delta Marriott hotel in its constituency.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that ministers are working to close hotels housing asylum seekers “as swiftly as possible” as part of an orderly programme to avoid creating problems for other areas. She emphasised the need for a properly managed closure process across the country. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp defended the right to protest, while Labour has pledged to end the use of hotels for asylum seekers by 2029.
Government data shows that while the number of asylum seekers in hotels has risen, overall spending on asylum has decreased by 12%, and the backlog of initial decisions has fallen below 100,000 for the first time in four years. Refugee support organisations have reported threats and a hostile environment since the 2024 riots, with some forced to install safe rooms or relocate.
