The Home Office has pledged a “big surge” in asylum hotel closures from the new year, with five more hotels set to shut in the coming months, as ministers face increasing political pressure over immigration. The announcement follows a weekend of protests and counter-protests over the use of hotels to house asylum seekers.
Home Office minister Angela Eagle accused opposition parties of offering “fag packet plans” without substance. She highlighted that the government inherited a “border security system in tatters” and defended its record, noting a £1bn saving in asylum accommodation costs and increased removals of those with no right to remain.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is expected to outline proposals including a sweeping deportation programme, mass removal of small boat arrivals, detention at military bases, and expanded flights to Rwanda. He also advocates withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights and replacing the Human Rights Act with a British bill of rights, describing international treaties as “malign influences”.
A YouGov poll for The Times found that 71% of voters believe Prime Minister Keir Starmer is handling the asylum hotel crisis poorly, including a majority of Labour supporters. The findings have intensified pressure on the government to show progress before winter.
Home Office figures show asylum hotel numbers have fallen from a peak of 400 in 2023 to just over 200 now, with daily costs dropping from £9m to £5.5m. The government says closures demonstrate tangible progress, though critics point to delays in processing claims and securing alternative housing.
The Scottish Conservative leader, Russell Findlay, defended lawful protests outside a hotel after an Afghan migrant was jailed for rape, saying it was understandable that communities question the immigration system's integrity. The government, however, insists it is rebuilding the asylum system with sustainable policies.
