Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, has emphasized that hotels accommodating asylum seekers could be shut down earlier than initially planned. The government aims to expedite the process, moving away from the existing 2029 deadline. This initiative follows Keir Starmer’s call to relocate all asylum seekers from hotel accommodations before the stipulated deadline, acknowledging public discontent.
Ms. Cooper stated that while their manifesto committed to addressing this issue over the Parliament’s term, they are striving to achieve an earlier resolution. The current focus is on various factors influencing the timeline, with a clear strategy in place to progress swiftly without setting specific deadlines.
Recent data indicates a decrease in asylum seekers housed in hotels, with a reduction from over 56,000 under the previous administration to over 32,000 by the end of June. Pressure has mounted on the government to close these accommodations due to public disturbances and legal disputes, notably at The Bell Hotel in Epping.
During an ITV interview, Ms. Cooper reiterated the urgency of discontinuing asylum hotels sooner than planned, emphasizing the need to accelerate the process beyond the Parliament’s duration. Efforts are underway to enhance the return rates of failed asylum seekers by 28% and expand the detention facilities to facilitate more returns.
Moreover, the Home Secretary refrained from providing a definitive timeline for returning migrants to France under a recent agreement. She confirmed that initial returns were expected later in the month, cautioning that the process is part of a gradual pilot scheme. Ms. Cooper highlighted the contrast between her pragmatic approach and the previous government’s costly and inefficient strategies.
In conclusion, the government is actively working towards reducing the asylum system’s overall numbers while streamlining the relocation process for asylum seekers from hotels.
