The UK government is planning to move hundreds of asylum seekers out of nine hotels in different parts of England. This is part of a wider plan to stop using expensive hotels to house people waiting for their asylum claims to be processed.
One of the hotels involved is in the quiet village of Datchet, which is near Windsor Castle. Some people living in the village have complained that things have changed since the asylum seekers arrived.
They say there have been tensions and problems in the community. One local person even said they were trying to sell their house because they no longer felt comfortable living there.
However, not everyone agrees with those negative views. A café owner in the village said the men staying at the hotel are polite and respectful.
He explained that these people are not allowed to work, so they often just walk around the area. Because of this, some villagers feel uneasy, but he believes they’re just ordinary people who have been through a lot and need help.
The Home Office said they will be moving the asylum seekers into longer-term housing, like shared houses or flats, instead of keeping them in hotels. This housing will still be temporary, but it’s seen as more stable and less expensive.
The government also said they’ve already closed thirteen other hotels used for the same purpose and are now speeding up the process of handling asylum applications. They believe this will help reduce the pressure on the system.
One of the hotels being cleared is the Coventry Hill hotel, which has been the target of far-right protests. In a past protest, a man was convicted for attacking a security guard. Another hotel in Cheshire was stormed by activists who filmed frightened asylum seekers inside their rooms. These incidents have raised concerns about the safety and dignity of the people involved.
Other hotels set to be emptied include ones in Cambridge, Luton, Hull, Gateshead, and two locations in London. These hotels were hosting anywhere from a few dozen to a few hundred asylum seekers each. The decision to move people out is based on the government’s claim that the current system is too costly and disorganised. They say they are now removing people who have no right to stay in the UK and placing others in more affordable accommodations.
According to government figures, nearly 7,000 people have crossed the English Channel in small boats already this year, trying to reach safety and start a new life. In 2024, over 36,000 people made the same dangerous journey. The rising numbers have made it harder for the government to find places to house everyone while their cases are being reviewed.
Some Labour MPs are worried that their party isn’t doing enough to fix the backlog of asylum cases. During the last election, Keir Starmer promised to end the use of hotels and save taxpayers a lot of money. The government now says they’re trying to follow through with that promise by processing applications faster and offering cheaper alternatives to hotels.
The hope is that by moving people into homes and improving the system, things will become more manageable for everyone — the asylum seekers, the local communities, and the government. But the situation is still complicated, and emotions are running high in many of the towns and villages where these hotels are located.
