Some local councils are considering legal action over the housing of asylum seekers in hotels, while counter-protests led by anti-racism groups are being scheduled this week to confront anti-migration demonstrations across the country. This comes following a High Court ruling that granted Epping Forest District Council a temporary injunction to block the Home Office from housing migrants at The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex. Now, Hillingdon Council has become the latest council to say it is reviewing whether it too can take legal action.
Meanwhile, an explosive row has erupted after Reform UK councillor Jaymey McIvor called for so-called illegal migrants and asylum seekers to be removed from hotels and housed in tents instead, a proposal that has divided opinion and ignited criticism across the political spectrum. He said: “I’m sorry, they don’t mind it at Glastonbury, do they?” He added: “In other words, they need to be put in tents. If it’s good enough for a serving British soldier…”
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Former Labour adviser Matthew Laza strongly criticised McIvor’s controversial proposal to house asylum seekers in tents. Laza warned that placing people in tents, especially during cold winters, would be inhumane and potentially fatal.
He said: “It’s somewhat colder in Lincolnshire in the winter, you’re going to see people die. It’s just ludicrous, it’s just nonsense. I don’t think Glastonbury in the middle of the summer is the same as Lincolnshire in the middle of January.
He added: “They’re [Reform] going to wave a magic wand and Nigel Farage will send everyone back. It’s nonsense, it’s a con, Reform doesn’t have a policy. It’s all smoke and mirrors.”
The Government is reportedly scrambling to formulate contingency plans, as a growing number of councils, including several Labour-run authorities, consider court action against hotel placements imposed without local consultation.
The legal developments come amid a recent surge in public protest, with over 30 anti-asylum hotel demonstrations and counter-protests expected this weekend across the UK, according to Shadow Home Office minister Katie Lam.
In response, Stand Up to Racism has coordinated counter-protests in multiple towns and cities, including Bournemouth, Cardiff, Chichester, and Leeds, with seven separate events planned for today alone.
Police are bracing for a challenging weekend, as protests coincide with Premier League football matches and the Notting Hill Carnival as well as a Bank Holiday weekend.
Thursday’s newly released migration figures show the asylum claims backlog has dropped to just over 70,000, down from more than 90,000 in late 2024.
While progress has been made, more than 19,000 claimants have been waiting over a year for a decision.