Housing illegal migrants in hotels on Christmas Day will cost more than £5.3 million, with total expenses exceeding £166 million throughout December, according to analysis from the Conservative Party based on Home Office data, reports BritPanorama.
Currently, around 36,000 arrivals are accommodated in hotels across the UK. The government’s decision to continue this practice has drawn criticism, especially as Labour promised to end the use of such accommodations, which include notable locations like The Bell Hotel in Epping.
Recent statistics recorded in September reveal a significant rise in hotel occupancy rates for asylum seekers, increasing by 6,688 or approximately 23% since Sir Keir Starmer took leadership. This surge raises questions about Labour’s commitment to its pledges regarding immigration and the management of asylum seekers.
Shadow Housing Secretary Chris Philp commented, “Labour promised to smash the gangs and end asylum hotels, yet this Christmas nearly 40,000 asylum seekers will be waking up in taxpayer-funded hotel rooms.” He asserted that the current strategy is failing to deter illegal crossings and called for stronger measures against human trafficking networks.
Philp further criticized the Labour government’s approach, stating, “While families have been scrimping and saving to put on a good Christmas, Labour are taxing working people to bankroll ever more welfare spending and support for illegal immigrants.” Following a recent surge, 805 individuals crossed the English Channel in a single day, contributing to a yearly total exceeding 41,000 crossings, marking the highest daily figure since early October.
In response to the ongoing crisis, the Home Office expressed frustration over the prevalence of illegal migrants and the continued use of asylum hotels. “This government will close every asylum hotel. Work is well underway, with more suitable sites being brought forward to ease pressure on communities and cut asylum costs,” officials declared, affirming their commitment to work closely with local authorities and partners to expedite solutions.
As the government grapples with increasing numbers of asylum seekers and mounting criticism over its management strategies, the situation highlights the broader complexities of immigration policy in the UK and the balance of public sentiment with humanitarian obligations.
