Protests intensify as the UK government announces faster asylum appeal reforms to cut delays and phase out hotel housing for migrants (Freepik)
In order to alleviate the issue of immigration into hotel rooms during appeals, the UK government has launched a massive reform in the asylum appeals system. There would be a newly established, independent panel of adjudicators to fast-track appeals processing. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper reiterated that it was unacceptable for appeal hearings to last, on average, over a year.
Even though the pace for the first decisions on asylum claims has increased, applicants still find the stage of appeals to be locked. With almost 51,000 in waiting at the moment, that leaves many failed applicants being housed at taxpayer expense. The pressure is mounting on the government to restrict this practice as about 32,000 are still lodged within hotels.
There are protests throughout the whole country regarding hotel accommodations. Protests took place during the weekend with cities including London, Liverpool, Bristol and Edinburgh, with counterdemonstrations organized by anti-racism groups in several areas. However, some tensions flared in some places, resulting in some arrests in Bristol and Liverpool.
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Outside the Bell Hotel in Epping after some protests erupt following the assault of a teenager from a neighboring town by an asylum seeker, there is controversy. A High Court ordered that by mid-September of this year, asylum seekers should relocate out of the hotel premises because there are breaches of planning conditions and public safety grounds. The government is making moves toward challenging that ruling.
In the case of Epping, it seems to have given several councils bravery to look into legal action to prevent the temporary use of hotels as refugee hostels. Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the Conservative Party, told councils under Tory control to consider this option, while Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has assured that his party-led councils would act to stop the further utilization of hotels.
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Currently, a total of 131 local authorities in the UK have contingency accommodation for asylum seekers, most of which are found in hotels. They include 74 Labour councils in addition to Conservative, Liberal Democrat, Green and Reform UK run areas.
The government absolutely has to manage the closure of asylum hotels in a properly managed way. This is expected to shorten waiting times, reduce costs and ease tensions in local communities, as now proposed by independent adjudicators.
However, it remains a very careful balancing act delivering a fair asylum process while reacting to public anger, keeping humane treatment of those seeking refuge in mind.
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