The UK government is facing growing controversy over its policy of accommodating asylum seekers in local hotels. Recently, when a court dismissed an application for a preliminary injunction to forcibly evict asylum seekers staying in hotels, both the local community and asylum seekers have expressed their opposition.
The Washington Post (WP) reported on the 1st (local time) that "the UK is experiencing intense political conflict over the government policy of housing thousands of asylum seekers in hotels" and that "this issue has triggered protests, counter-protests, legal battles, and court rulings amid a broader debate on immigration."
On the 29th of last month, the UK Court of Appeal ruled that the government's accommodation of asylum seekers in hotels is appropriate. Previously, the Epping Forest District Council had applied for a preliminary injunction to forcibly evict asylum seekers from the Bell Hotel in the area, and on the 10th of last month, the London High Court accepted this and set the eviction deadline for September 12. However, the Court of Appeal later overturned this decision.
The UK began accommodating rising numbers of asylum seekers in hotels since 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic was at its peak. According to the UK Home Office, as of last June, approximately 32,000 asylum seekers are residing in over 200 hotels nationwide, and in 2023, the number of people staying in hotels exceeded 55,000.
The controversy over the asylum seeker hotel accommodation policy escalated when, in July, an asylum seeker staying at the Bell Hotel was charged with sexual assault against a teenage girl. Although the asylum seeker denies the allegations, local residents have protested outside the hotel demanding the forced eviction of refugees. At that time, about 137 asylum seekers were residing in the Bell Hotel.
After the Court of Appeal's ruling, the local council issued a statement saying it was "deeply disappointed" and that "the fight for our residents will continue when the High Court hears the main lawsuit in October." WP reported that following the Court of Appeal's ruling, more anti-immigration protests were reported across the country. In western London, five masked men attempted to enter the refugee accommodation hotel during an anti-immigration protest and were arrested by the police.
Politicians also joined the fray. Nigel Farage, leader of the anti-immigration party Reform UK, claimed, "Asylum seekers have more rights than UK citizens." Farage stated at a press conference last month that the UK is being invaded by illegal immigrants, promising to deport 600,000 undocumented migrants if in power.
Voices of opposition are also emerging from immigration groups. Nick Bills from the Essex and London Refugee and Migrant Forum stated, "Hotels are terrible places for people to live. They are unsanitary and completely unsuitable for long-term stays," and argued that local councils should provide dwellings for asylum seekers. Earlier, in 2023, the human rights organization "Voices for Migrants" released a report indicating that refugees housed in hotels are suffering from unclean rooms, foul-smelling food, and deteriorating mental health.
WP reported that the court ruling "has angered both right-wing political forces demanding mass deportations of immigrants and immigrant groups arguing that hotels are not acceptable housing."
The UK government has announced that it will cease using hotels as accommodation for refugees by 2029. According to BBC reports, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stated on the 1st, "All refugee hotels will be completely closed by our government," adding that "this will not merely involve moving refugees from hotels to other facilities but will aim to reduce the number of people staying in supported accommodations."