An MP has called for the Government to release a "clear timetable" for when two hotels near Nottinghamshire will stop being used to house asylum seekers. Around 400 people have been staying at the Novotel and Best Western hotels on Bostocks Lane in Long Eaton.
A record net migration into the UK during 2022 and a backlog in the processing of asylum cases have meant that asylum seekers have been housed in hundreds of hotels around the UK. But immigration minister and Newark MP Robert Jenrick recently said the Government would move to a strategy of providing "basic accommodation" to asylum seekers.
This strategy will free up some of the hotels currently being used, with locations in Essex, East Sussex and Lincolnshire being the first to be used. Significant concerns have been raised over the Lincolnshire location, with the former home of the Red Arrows being used.
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But in terms of ending the current plans, one Conservative MP has now called for a commitment on when hotels will be freed up again. Maggie Throup, who represents the Erewash constituency which comprises Long Eaton, said: "The statement made by the Immigration Minister is certainly welcome and the plans will free up thousands of beds.
"However, I am urging the Government to commit to publishing a clear timetable for the permanent closure of the two migrant hotels in Erewash. I trust the Government will be able to publish this timetable in weeks, not months.
"Over 400 asylum seekers have been housed in two neighbouring hotels on Bostocks Lane, in Erewash. This has put an enormous strain on local services.
"On numerous occasions, in Parliament, I have urged the Government to permanently close the accommodation centres. We must end the use of hotels to house asylum seekers as doing so will protect the taxpayer as well as the people of Erewash."
A protest against the housing of asylum seekers in the Long Eaton Novotel took place in February. However, those opposing them were far outnumbered by a counter-demonstration of people supporting the rights of asylum seekers.
The Home Office says it does not comment on commercial arrangements for individual sites, but says the current asylum system is costing the country around £3 billion per year. A spokesperson said: "The number of people arriving in the UK who seek asylum and require accommodation has reached record levels, placing unprecedented pressures on the asylum system.
"The Home Office and partners identify sites for accommodation based on a range of factors including whether they are safe, secure, clean and available. The use of hotels is as an interim measure to support our efforts to support high intake numbers. We are working hard with our partners to find appropriate accommodation during this challenging time."
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