UK Government to Reallocate Lincolnshire Hotels Housing Asylum Seekers
The UK Government has announced plans to restore two Skegness hotels currently housing asylum seekers to their regular operations. These Lincolnshire dwellings are part of 50 nationwide set to cease their current roles by the end of January. The decision comes as Immigration Minister, Robert Jenrick, notes a significant drop in small boat crossings compared to the previous year.
Audience Responds to Decision
Despite potential controversy, the announcement has been met with approval by local constituents. During February this year, an estimated 200 people participated in a protest through Skegness town centre against the use of local hotels for asylum accommodation.
Boston and Skegness Conservative MP, Matt Warman, expressed his satisfaction with the current turn of events, stating:
"I am pleased that Government colleagues have recognised that it is wholly inappropriate to use tourist hotels in Skegness to accommodate people seeking asylum."
Warman further added:
"It is brilliant news from the Conservative Government that 50 hotels across the country will be returned to communities as the temporary asylum accommodation is closed down."
Ministerial Insights into the Decision
Immigration Minister, Robert Jenrick, highlighted financial considerations as a motivation for these adjustments and declared:
"Taxpayers cannot be expected to foot the eye-watering bill for the use of hotels to accommodate individuals making illegal, dangerous and wholly unnecessary small boat crossings."
A Broader Strategy
The Minister further pointed out that the decision to reallocate the hotels aligns with a broader governmental strategy. With small boat arrivals reduced by more than 20% compared to last year, this strategy aims to dismantle smuggling gangs' business models and put a stop on illegal boat crossings entirely.
Asylum seekers currently residing at these locations are set to move to other parts of the UK's asylum estate in the coming days. The Home Office has already informed local authorities, MPs and the accommodation providers of these imminent changes.