Government should 'devolve asylum accommodation' to tackle migrants being housed in hotels

The party had pledged to clear it and “end asylum hotels” but a Whitehall source told the paper it is “much worse than we thought”.

“It’s going to take a lot longer to clear than we anticipated. It certainly won’t be cleared in a year,” they added.

The IPPR think tank has said the asylum system is “hugely challenging”, but said that Labour could “empower regional and local bodies to take charge”.

Dr Lucy Mort, senior research fellow, said: "The government has inherited a hugely challenging, expensive, and divisive asylum accommodation system.

“However, it has shown signs of understanding the scale of the problem and a willingness to address it head-on.

"The news that asylum seekers may remain in hotels for another three years underscores the urgent need for change.

“These hotels are not only unsuitable for long-term accommodation but also a significant drain on public funds.

"To deliver on its commitment to end hotel use, the government should explore models that empower regional and local bodies to take charge of asylum accommodation, putting local communities at the heart of decision-making.

"Local councils are well positioned to find innovative, cost-effective solutions that work for both asylum seekers and wider communities.”

Labour has said it will widen and deepen devolution, although asylum accommodation has not been suggested.

According to Home Office figures released in August, a total of 118,882 people were waiting for an initial decision on an asylum application in the UK at the end of June 2024, down by 32% from 175,457 at the end of June 2023, which was the highest figure since current records began in 2010.

But the latest total was up slightly from the 118,329 waiting to be dealt with at the end of March this year, indicating a rise in the last three months of the 12-month period.

A Labour source said: “We have inherited a completely failed immigration system from the Tories.

“Including them spending over £700 million on Rwanda, and gimmicks that didn’t work.

“We’re working on clearing down the backlog they left behind, they clearly did nothing at all in the months before the election.”

Asylum seekers housed at the Holiday Inn in Manvers, near Rotherham, were targeted in the summer riots. Hooligans tried to set the building on fire.