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Refugees

Telford Conservatives Seek to Follow Epping's Lead on Asylum Hotel Challenge

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Telford's Conservative councillor group has announced their intention to explore avenues to challenge the government's use of hotels to house asylum seekers, citing the success of Epping Forest District Council in securing a temporary injunction. The move comes as protests and counterprotests continue in Telford, with the town's Labour MP Shaun Davies raising concerns about the issue in parliament earlier this year. The local authority and Home Office have confirmed that 245 asylum seekers are being housed in hotels in Telford & Wrekin, a situation that Councillor Andrew Eade describes as "a dumping ground for failed government schemes."

Key Takeaways:

  • Telford Conservatives have approached Epping Forest councillors for discussions about their asylum hotel challenge, following the success of the latter in securing a temporary injunction.
  • Councillor Andrew Eade, leader of the Telford Conservative group, advocates for hotels to be used for tourism and local jobs, rather than as overflow accommodation for asylum seekers.
  • Telford & Wrekin Council has confirmed that hotels housing asylum seekers are managed by the Government and Serco since 2021.
  • Protests and counterprotests have been held in Telford following accusations of a hotel resident attempting to kiss a teenage girl, with the individual on trial this week.
  • Home Office figures confirm that as of June 2023, there were 245 asylum seekers being housed in hotels in Telford & Wrekin.

Statistics:

  • 245: The number of asylum seekers being provided with hotel accommodation in Telford & Wrekin as of June 2023 (Home Office figures).
  • 2021: The year in which the government first used hotels to house asylum seekers in Telford & Wrekin (Telford & Wrekin Council and Home Office confirmation).

Sources:

  • Telford & Wrekin Council: "Asylum seekers in Telford & Wrekin".
  • Home Office: "Asylum accommodation statistics".
  • Shaun Davies, Labour MP: Parliament speech on asylum seeker hotels.
  • Dominic Robertson: Byline for original article.

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