Burton MP, Kate Kniveton, has welcomed the news today (03/07/23) that the Home Office has reviewed and changed its decision to use a third hotel in Burton, following a meeting the local MP had with the Minister, Robert Jenrick MP, in Parliament last week.
The meeting came soon 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 and end the use of hotels.
During the meeting, the Burton MP urged the Minister to intervene and review the decision, highlighting her concerns and those of local leaders about the serious knock-on effect the 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.
The Immigration Minister agreed to look into the matter and has today confirmed that the Home Office will not be using the identified hotel at this time.
Commenting, Kate Kniveton MP said:
“I am grateful to the Immigration Minister, Robert Jenrick, for intervening on this Home Office decision following my recent meeting with him and after I raised this issue with the Prime Minister in Parliament. The standing down of this hotel in Burton is a good step forward and I urged the Minister to do more to ultimately ensure that his Department ends 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.”
