Latest news with #migrantHotels
The Independent
24-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
We're ready for riots, minister declares amid growing fears of summer unrest
Ministers are ready to respond if fresh riots erupt this summer as tensions simmer over migrant hotels in communities across the UK. The business secretary has said government agencies, the police and emergency services are prepared for potential disorder after violent demonstrations outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Epping, Essex. Local Conservative MP Dr Neil Hudson has warned the riots in Essex are a ' crisis that has reached boiling point '. And deputy prime minister Angela Rayner this week issued a stark warning to her fellow cabinet ministers, warning them the UK faces a repeat of last year's summer riots unless 'the government shows it can address people's concerns'. Asked if the UK was prepared to handle another summer of disorder, Jonathan Reynolds said: 'All the government, all the key agencies, the police, they prepare for all situations. "So I wouldn't want you to be talking this up or speculating in a way which is unhelpful. Of course, the state prepares for all situations. "But I think what we've got to talk about is: why are people unhappy with, say, the asylum system? Are they reasonable? Are they upset for legitimate reasons? Yes, we share those as a government. That is why we are sorting it out. "And I understand the frustrations people have, but ultimately, you solve those frustrations and solve the problem by fixing and getting a grip of the core issue, which is what we're doing." He said the government was getting a grip on the use of hotels to house asylum seekers, with the number across the country having come down from around 400 hotels to "just over 200". Police have already warned that violent demonstrations are taking a 'massive toll' on forces across the UK. Unrest in Epping outside the Bell Hotel housing asylum seekers has already cost £100,000, with Essex Police forced to draft in support from neighbouring forces after the protests turned ugly with bottles and flares thrown at police, injuring eight officers. Last July and August, 40,000 officer shifts were worked by public order officers over 10 days to tackle the riots sparked by misinformation online after three girls were stabbed to death in Southport. With concerns mounting that the UK could be facing another summer of unrest, the police union has warned that forces are close to breaking point. Brian Booth, deputy chair of the Police Federation, said the UK's national mobilisation plan, which sees officers redeployed to assist other forces when needed, means staff miss rest days and additional hours at a time when resignation rates are 'off the scale' due to low morale and pay. He added: 'The demand has got too high, the service is stretched to the maximum. It's like an elastic band, and all of a sudden, we'll have a snap. There's only so much pressure that can be placed on them.' Demonstrations threatened to spread to London this week after false rumours claimed migrants were being moved from the Bell Hotel to the Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf.
The Sun
27-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Migrant hotel kingpins who pocketed millions paid for by YOU ‘flee UK after their £2billion' contract was axed
TWO migrant hotels kingpins have disappeared after their £2billion contract was axed. Kebab shop owner Safwan Adam, 38, and sushi shop boss Bassam Gilini, 38, made tens of millions from the Home Office through their firm Stay Belvedere Hotels Limited (SBHL). It was announced in March that the firm — which operates 51 sites — was being removed as a government contractor when its deal ends in September next year. The pair had already taken at least £47.4million in dividends from the business between April 2021 and September 2022 — in the only public accounts currently available. It is believed they may have now left the UK. Neighbours at Mr Gilini's £2million home in Chigwell, Essex, said they had not seen him around for 'some time'. Meanwhile a relative of Mr Adam in Wanstead, East London, said he was 'not in the country'. But a source close to the company last night insisted the directors had not moved from the UK and continue to work from the country. The Home Office has refused The Sun's Freedom of Information Act request to explain why the deal was scrapped. Border security and asylum minister Angela Eagle had told a select committee earlier this month that there had been 'non-performance-related issues' with SBHL. The TaxPayers' Alliance said: 'The Home Office's refusal to be transparent, even after a parliamentary committee raised serious concerns is unacceptable.' Neither director has replied to requests for comment.
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Landlords to be expected to house asylum seekers
More private landlords will be expected to house asylum seekers to fulfil Rachel Reeves's promise to end the use of migrant hotels, the Government has confirmed. The Chancellor said at Wednesday's spending review that the Home Office would stop using hotels by 2029, saving taxpayers £1bn a year. But experts warned the plan would pile even more pressure on the private rental sector, as asylum seekers will add to competition for places among young renters. Government sources confirmed to The Telegraph that the phasing out of migrant hotels would mean more landlords would need to take in asylum seekers. A source said that 'reducing the backlog is going to be a mix of ending the use of hotels as well as ramping up cheaper accommodation'. Local authorities will also be expected to pitch in. Earlier this year, The Telegraph revealed that Serco, a private contractor working for the Home Office, was offering landlords five-year guaranteed full rent deals to house asylum seekers. Prospective landlords were promised rent paid 'on time every month with no arrears', full repair and maintenance, free property management and utilities and council tax bills paid by Serco. Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, said: 'No matter how much Rachel Reeves may claim [Labour] will get the backlog of asylum claims down – immigrants will still need a place to stay. 'With experts warning that the Government will get nowhere near their target of delivering 1.5m new homes, the British people must come first when it comes to access to housing. 'Accommodating illegal immigrants in flats takes up valuable space needed by our own young people.' Nathan Emerson, of professional body Propertymark, said: 'The private rented sector is already under extreme pressure, with on average, seven applicants competing per available property to rent across the UK. 'As with any reforms or proposed changes that affect housing, there must be comprehensive stakeholder engagement and continuous conversation to lay down concerns and provision for future demand.' Sir Keir Starmer committed to ending the use of hotel accommodation for asylum seekers before last year's election. In May, the National Audit Office (NAO) said that housing for asylum seekers looked set to cost triple what had been predicted by the former Conservative government in 2019. Contracts signed then promised £4.5bn of public money to three companies over ten years. But NAO estimates suggested this number will be closer to £15.3bn. Housing asylum seekers in private accommodation is cheaper than using hotels – costing as little as £14 a night, compared with £145. Latest figures show 32,345 asylum seekers were being housed temporarily in UK hotels at the end of March, down 15pc from the end of December, when the total was 38,079. A spokesman for the Local Government Association (LGA) said: 'The announcement to close hotels during the course of this parliament is a step in the right direction. 'Councils must be fully engaged well in advance of any decisions on opening or closing asylum accommodation rather than after a decision has been made.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
16-06-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
More landlords to be expected to house asylum seekers
More private landlords will be expected to house asylum seekers to fulfil Rachel Reeves's promise to end the use of migrant hotels, the Government has confirmed. The Chancellor said at Wednesday's spending review that the Home Office would stop using hotels by 2029, saving taxpayers £1bn a year. But experts warned the plan would pile even more pressure on the private rental sector, as asylum seekers will add to competition for places among young renters. Government sources confirmed to The Telegraph that the phasing out of migrant hotels would mean more landlords would need to take in asylum seekers. A source said that 'reducing the backlog is going to be a mix of ending the use of hotels as well as ramping up cheaper accommodation'. Local authorities will also be expected to pitch in. Earlier this year, The Telegraph revealed that Serco, a private contractor working for the Home Office, was offering landlords five-year guaranteed full rent deals to house asylum seekers. Prospective landlords were promised rent paid 'on time every month with no arrears', full repair and maintenance, free property management and utilities and council tax bills paid by Serco. Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, said: 'No matter how much Rachel Reeves may claim [Labour] will get the backlog of asylum claims down – immigrants will still need a place to stay. 'With experts warning that the Government will get nowhere near their target of delivering 1.5m new homes, the British people must come first when it comes to access to housing. 'Accommodating illegal immigrants in flats takes up valuable space needed by our own young people.' Nathan Emerson, of professional body Propertymark, said: 'The private rented sector is already under extreme pressure, with on average, seven applicants competing per available property to rent across the UK. 'As with any reforms or proposed changes that affect housing, there must be comprehensive stakeholder engagement and continuous conversation to lay down concerns and provision for future demand.' Sir Keir Starmer committed to ending the use of hotel accommodation for asylum seekers before last year's election. In May, the National Audit Office (NAO) said that housing for asylum seekers looked set to cost triple what had been predicted by the former Conservative government in 2019. Contracts signed then promised £4.5bn of public money to three companies over ten years. But NAO estimates suggested this number will be closer to £15.3bn. Housing asylum seekers in private accommodation is cheaper than using hotels – costing as little as £14 a night, compared with £145. Latest figures show 32,345 asylum seekers were being housed temporarily in UK hotels at the end of March, down 15pc from the end of December, when the total was 38,079. A spokesman for the Local Government Association (LGA) said: 'The announcement to close hotels during the course of this parliament is a step in the right direction. 'Councils must be fully engaged well in advance of any decisions on opening or closing asylum accommodation rather than after a decision has been made.'
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Landlords to be expected to house asylum seekers
More private landlords will be expected to house asylum seekers to fulfil Rachel Reeves's promise to end the use of migrant hotels, the Government has confirmed. The Chancellor said at Wednesday's spending review that the Home Office would stop using hotels by 2029, saving taxpayers £1bn a year. But experts warned the plan would pile even more pressure on the private rental sector, as asylum seekers will add to competition for places among young renters. Government sources confirmed to The Telegraph that the phasing out of migrant hotels would mean more landlords would need to take in asylum seekers. A source said that 'reducing the backlog is going to be a mix of ending the use of hotels as well as ramping up cheaper accommodation'. Local authorities will also be expected to pitch in. Earlier this year, The Telegraph revealed that Serco, a private contractor working for the Home Office, was offering landlords five-year guaranteed full rent deals to house asylum seekers. Prospective landlords were promised rent paid 'on time every month with no arrears', full repair and maintenance, free property management and utilities and council tax bills paid by Serco. Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, said: 'No matter how much Rachel Reeves may claim [Labour] will get the backlog of asylum claims down – immigrants will still need a place to stay. 'With experts warning that the Government will get nowhere near their target of delivering 1.5m new homes, the British people must come first when it comes to access to housing. 'Accommodating illegal immigrants in flats takes up valuable space needed by our own young people.' Nathan Emerson, of professional body Propertymark, said: 'The private rented sector is already under extreme pressure, with on average, seven applicants competing per available property to rent across the UK. 'As with any reforms or proposed changes that affect housing, there must be comprehensive stakeholder engagement and continuous conversation to lay down concerns and provision for future demand.' Sir Keir Starmer committed to ending the use of hotel accommodation for asylum seekers before last year's election. In May, the National Audit Office (NAO) said that housing for asylum seekers looked set to cost triple what had been predicted by the former Conservative government in 2019. Contracts signed then promised £4.5bn of public money to three companies over ten years. But NAO estimates suggested this number will be closer to £15.3bn. Housing asylum seekers in private accommodation is cheaper than using hotels – costing as little as £14 a night, compared with £145. Latest figures show 32,345 asylum seekers were being housed temporarily in UK hotels at the end of March, down 15pc from the end of December, when the total was 38,079. A spokesman for the Local Government Association (LGA) said: 'The announcement to close hotels during the course of this parliament is a step in the right direction. 'Councils must be fully engaged well in advance of any decisions on opening or closing asylum accommodation rather than after a decision has been made.' Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
