UK government prevails in appeal, overturning decision to limit migrants' accommodation at Epping hotel
The Court of Appeal has overturned a ban on asylum-seekers being housed at the Bell Hotel in Epping, northeast of London. The decision, made by a three-person panel, has stirred controversy and raised questions about the government's housing policies for asylum-seekers.
The ruling was in response to a temporary injunction granted by a High Court judge last week. The judge's decision could have potentially led to similar decisions around the country, disrupting the government's efforts to manage the accommodation of asylum-seekers.
The Bell Hotel has been the focus of protests related to asylum-seekers for several weekends. One of the concerns raised by local residents was the alleged sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl by a resident at the hotel. However, the accused has denied the accusations.
The use of hotels to house asylum-seekers was a marginal issue until 2020, when the number of asylum-seekers increased sharply. As of the end of June 2022, there were over 32,000 asylum-seekers housed in hotels in the United Kingdom, up 8% from the previous year but below the peak of over 56,000 in September 2023.
The government was criticised for pursuing the appeal, with opponents arguing that it was prioritising the rights of asylum-seekers over those of local residents. Health Minister Stephen Kinnock stated that the immediate closure of asylum hotels could lead to migrants living destitute in the streets.
Justice David Bean stated that the judge made errors in principle that undermined the decision. He argued that the judge's approach ignored the consequence that the closure of one site would require capacity to be identified elsewhere in the system.
Other councils, including Labour-run authorities, had announced their intention to seek legal advice over whether they could achieve similar injunctions for hotels in their areas. The Labour Party, currently led by Keir Starmer, is currently dealing with the issue of asylum-seekers and immigration.
Reform UK chief Nigel Farage has announced that if his party wins the election, they will mass deport migrants. The Labour government, elected a little over a year ago, has struggled to curb unauthorized migration and fulfill its responsibility to accommodate asylum-seekers.
The UK border force made its first arrests under the new "one in, one out" migrant deal with France. The deal aims to control the number of migrants entering the country and ensure that those who are granted asylum are accommodated appropriately.
The case of the Bell Hotel in Epping is not an isolated incident. Local authorities in Liverpool, Bristol, Newcastle, and London have announced intentions to seek legal advice in the past to pursue similar injunctions against hotels housing asylum seekers in their regions. The debate surrounding the accommodation of asylum-seekers and the balance between their rights and those of local residents continues to be a contentious issue.
