Downing Street is reportedly intensifying its efforts to cease the accommodation of asylum seekers in hotels amid concerns that the policy is undermining its popularity and bolstering support for Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage. According to reports from The Telegraph, senior Labour politicians are expressing worries that the continued housing of migrants in hotels is negatively impacting public perception of the government.

Currently, an estimated 38,000 migrants are being housed in over 200 hotels across the UK, resulting in an expenditure of approximately £2 billion annually. This expenditure is causing significant discontent among taxpayers, particularly as public funds are directed towards the accommodation of these individuals.

Farage, whose party recently achieved significant success in local elections by gaining control of ten councils, has seized upon the discontent surrounding the accommodation policy. He stated, “People are so enraged because they get up early in the morning, they go to work, they pay their taxes and they see young men crossing the English Channel, being dumped in the north of England, getting everything for free.” He added that once these individuals are granted indefinite leave to remain, they are prioritised for social housing, which he deemed “unfair” and “irresponsible.”

The discontent has intensified, especially following Labour’s recent reductions in winter fuel payments and disability benefits, leading to questions among voters about the justification for the significant funding allocated to housing asylum seekers. In response, Downing Street is reportedly seeking to prompt the Home Office to expedite measures to end hotel accommodation for migrants.

Labour has already made strides in reducing the number of hotels used for this purpose from a previous peak of around 400. However, further cuts are now anticipated. While councils do not possess the authority to oppose the use of hotels for migrant housing, Farage indicated plans to encourage locally elected officials to push against such initiatives, stating emphatically, “We are going to fight very hard to do so. We will resist, resist, resist.”

The backlash against the housing policy is not confined to political rhetoric; it has been visibly reflected in community protests as seen in Manchester, where local groups gathered to voice their frustrations against asylum seekers being housed in their neighbourhoods. Tensions have flared, with instances of clashes reported between anti-immigration protesters and advocates for anti-racism in locations such as Altrincham.

Political turmoil within Labour continues amid calls for a change in direction, particularly after the party registered a disappointing performance in the most recent local elections. Former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s criticisms of Labour’s net zero policies have sparked further internal discussions, although Downing Street has reportedly asserted that no adjustments to this agenda will occur.

In the wake of these developments, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak addressed critics by stating that the recent electoral results signal a need for his government to deliver change more rapidly. Yet, Labour MP Diane Abbott has expressed concern that the party leadership lacks awareness of the fundamental issues at hand, suggesting that any attempts to accelerate current policies may not effectively address the electorate’s mounting dissatisfaction.

MailOnline has sought comment from the Home Office regarding these issues, highlighting the ongoing significance of asylum accommodation policies in the UK’s political landscape.

Source: Noah Wire Services