Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, has emphasized the possibility of expediting the closure of hotels accommodating asylum seekers. Despite the current target deadline of 2029, the government is optimistic about achieving an earlier closure date, as indicated during recent discussions.
The push for accelerated closure follows Keir Starmer’s call to relocate all asylum seekers from hotel accommodations before the designated deadline, acknowledging public concerns. Ms. Cooper reaffirmed their commitment to fulfilling this goal sooner than initially planned, citing ongoing efforts and various influencing factors without specifying exact timelines.
Recent statistics reveal a reduction in the number of asylum seekers housed in hotels, dropping to over 32,000 by the end of June from a previous count of over 56,000 under the previous government. Pressure has mounted on the current administration to shut down these accommodations due to public disturbances and legal disputes, notably the case of The Bell Hotel in Epping.
In an interview on Good Morning Britain, Ms. Cooper stressed the urgency to end the practice of housing asylum seekers in hotels, expressing confidence in achieving this objective ahead of the Parliament’s timeline. When questioned about alternative housing solutions, she highlighted an increase in the repatriation of failed asylum seekers and the expansion of detention facilities to facilitate further returns.
Regarding the recent returns agreement with France, Ms. Cooper refrained from guaranteeing immediate deportations this month. While confirming the anticipation of the first returns shortly, she emphasized the gradual implementation of the pilot scheme as a strategic approach. Notably, she contrasted this measured strategy with the previous government’s costly and ineffective handling of the Rwanda issue.
The government’s focus remains on reducing the overall number of individuals within the asylum system, aiming to streamline decision-making processes and lower the reliance on hotel accommodations.