Local Member of Parliament, Kate Kniveton, has welcomed the confirmation from Government that the use of hotels in Burton to temporarily accommodate individuals awaiting their asylum applications will end by May 2024.
One hotel is already in the process of being stood down by the end of January. Today, in a letter sent to the local MP by the Immigration Minister, Thomas Pursglove, it was made clear that the second and final Burton site will be closed by the end of April.
Over recent months, successful campaigning from Ms Kniveton, meeting with Ministers and asking questions in Parliament, has resulted in the Home Office reconsidering its use of a third hotel in Burton and the standing down of another for asylum accommodation. Today’s news means that by the end of April 2024 no hotels in Burton will be used for this purpose, fulfilling a commitment previously made by Government.
The Government’s plan to tackle illegal migration is making progress and the backlog of legacy asylum claims has now been cleared on target. For the first time since the phenomenon of small boats began four years ago, arrivals are down by a third compared with 2022, despite increases in arrivals in Europe of 100 per cent in some countries.
Commenting, Kate Kniveton MP said:
“I welcome today’s news that the use of hotels to temporarily accommodate those awaiting their asylum claims will end this Spring. I have consistently fought to end this practice in Burton by telling the Home Office this must stop.
“The Government has made significant progress on tackling the illegal channel crossings, cutting the backlog and finding more appropriate forms of asylum accommodation. As a result of these successful efforts, here in Burton we will benefit from our hotels returning to public use.
