Asylum sites to be expanded as ministers bid to end hotel use
Summary
The UK government plans to expand large sites like the Wethersfield air base to house asylum seekers, aiming to stop using hotels by 2029. This is intended to save money and be more sustainable, though some local people and groups are not happy with these plans.Key Facts
- The UK government plans to stop using taxpayer-funded hotels for asylum seekers by 2029.
- Large asylum seeker sites like Wethersfield air base in Essex may be expanded to provide alternative accommodations.
- The expansion is expected to save £1 billion according to the Spending Review by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
- The cost of accommodating asylum seekers in hotels has increased, with contracts now worth £15.3 billion over ten years.
- The proposed expansion of sites like Wethersfield has faced opposition from local residents and refugee rights groups.
- A previous legal ruling found using Wethersfield to house asylum seekers was unlawful due to poor living conditions.
- Wethersfield has a proposed capacity of 800 but currently houses about 500 people.
- Some former student accommodation blocks in Huddersfield are also being considered for expansion to house asylum seekers.
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