British Prime Minister Pledges to Accelerate Asylum Seeker Hotel Closures Amid Protests and Legal Challenges
On September 1, 2025, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his intention to close all asylum seeker hotels in the UK “as soon as possible” amidst increasing protests and ongoing legal actions related to the country’s migration system, reports 24brussels.
Starmer acknowledged public frustration over the situation, stating, “I understand why people want the hotels closed. I want them closed too. I will work with my team to shut them down as quickly as possible,” during an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live.
He emphasized that the closure process must be “orderly and systematic,” addressing cases efficiently and ensuring the deportation of individuals not entitled to remain in the UK. Starmer aims to expedite the timeline for shutting down these facilities, previously set for completion by 2029.
The Labour government’s strategy on illegal migration and combating human smuggling in the English Channel has entered a new phase, with Starmer labeling migration as “a really serious problem.” He reaffirmed his commitment to “controlling the borders” by dealing with unauthorized entries, the operation of asylum hotels, and the deportation of 35,000 individuals under his administration.
The situation escalated on August 19 when the High Court of England and Wales ruled in favor of the Epping Forest District Council, mandating the evacuation of the Bell Hotel, which housed over 100 asylum seekers, by September 12. This hotel drew significant public attention after allegations of sexual assault were made against one of its residents.
However, the UK Home Office successfully appealed this ruling, halting the eviction and preventing similar decisions in other locations, as noted in Friday’s ruling from the Court of Appeal of England and Wales.
The dispute surrounding asylum hotels has sparked a nationwide movement supported by far-right groups, who have rallied in the streets under the English flag, representing an alleged call for British “purity.” In response, Starmer expressed his support for national symbols but criticized their use in a “divisive” and “debased” manner during his BBC interview.
Sources: BBC Radio 5 Live – EFE
