Charities take Home Office to court over prison-like' overcrowded migrant hotels

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"Two charities are taking the Home Office to court over overcrowded migrant hotels, which they have described as prison-like and say are forcing trafficking and torture survivors to share rooms with strangers. The Helen Bamber Foundation and Freedom from Torture accuse the government of leaving survivors of severe forms of violence at risk of serious harm in harmful and unsuitable asylum accommodation."

"Their case, which will be heard on Tuesday and Wednesday, challenges policy changes that they argue make it much harder for charities to prevent survivors from being forced to live in large accommodation sites or to share rooms with strangers. The Home Office is accused of failing to consult the charities before making the changes, which were brought in by the previous Conservative government at the start of 2024, but continue to be defended by the current Labour government."

The Independent reports on issues from reproductive rights to climate change and Big Tech, sending journalists to investigate and produce documentaries. The outlet investigates Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC finances and produced 'The A Word', spotlighting American women fighting for reproductive rights. The Independent does not use paywalls and seeks donations to fund reporters to present both sides of stories. Two charities, the Helen Bamber Foundation and Freedom from Torture, are suing the Home Office over overcrowded migrant hotels described as prison-like and forcing survivors to share rooms. The charities say policy changes and a lack of consultation place trafficking and torture survivors at risk as the government plans asylum and human rights law reforms.

Read at www.independent.co.uk