Labour to ramp up closure of asylum hotels in Spring under immigration crackdown

"Ministers will ramp up the closure of migrant hotels in Spring as part of plans to reduce pressure on the asylum system. Home secretary Shabana Mahmood announced sweeping changes to immigration reforms at the end of last year, which included making refugee status temporary and scrapping the right to family reunion. The Labour government has pledged to end the use of costly asylum hotels by 2029, however, the number of asylum seekers housed in the controversial accommodation has risen year-on-year."

"The Home Office is now expected to ramp up the closure of hotels in Spring this year, under plans first reported by The I paper. This will be facilitated by moving migrants waiting on asylum claim decisions into different forms of accommodation. Ministers have pledged to open army barracks to house asylum seekers and suggested that pop-up buildings could be used to create space. More homes of multiple occupation could also be used to house people seeking asylum."

Ministers plan to accelerate the closure of migrant hotels in Spring to reduce pressure on the asylum system. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood introduced immigration reforms that include making refugee status temporary and removing the right to family reunion. The Labour government pledged to end use of costly asylum hotels by 2029, despite year-on-year increases in asylum seekers housed in such accommodation. The Home Office intends to move migrants awaiting asylum decisions into alternative accommodation, including army barracks, pop-up buildings, and homes of multiple occupation. Protests have occurred at some sites used to house asylum seekers.

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