Burton MP, Kate Kniveton MP has today (28/06/23) met with the Immigration Minister, Robert Jenrick MP, to raise concerns with him about the recent Home Office decision to use a third hotel in Burton as well as increase capacity at another hotel by sixty-four per cent.
The meeting came the week after Ms Kniveton raised the issue with the Prime Minister in the House of Commons, urging the Government to do more to support local authorities responding to this situation.
During the meeting with the, the Burton MP asked the Immigration Minister what more support the Government could provide to help local authorities in East Staffordshire to deal with the pressures being placed on the asylum system and what he was doing to ultimately end the use of hotels in Burton.
Ms Kniveton also highlighted the concerns she shares with local leaders of the serious knock-on effect this situation would have on the Council’s duties to homelessness and rough sleeping, as well as causing challenges for wider public services and the tourism industry in East Staffordshire.
Commenting, Kate Kniveton MP said:
“I am grateful to the Immigration Minister, Robert Jenrick, for meeting so quickly after I raised the Home Office’s use of Burton hotels with the Prime Minister. It was good to engage with the Immigration Minister about what more the Home Office could do to support our local councils and ultimately what his Department was doing to end the use of hotels in Burton.
“The Government has committed to end the use of hotels to house individuals waiting for the outcome of their application for asylum. In order to do this, we must stop the boats and the illegal channel crossings which are overwhelming our asylum system. The Prime Minister has my full support in doing this and I know it is a priority that residents in Burton and Uttoxeter also take very seriously, and want to see action on.”
