A series of protests against migrant hotels have rocked communities across the country in recent weeks and become flashpoints for tension. Peaceful demonstrations have descended into chaos and violence in some cases, with police coming under attack and making scores of arrests.
Hundreds of people protested outside a hotel housing asylum-seekers in Epping this month. Large crowds also gathered outside the Britannia Hotel in London Canary Wharf, which is believed will be used to house migrants. Protests and counter-protests have been attended by locals both for and against the use of hotels to house asylum seekers as well as people from outside communities, including activists from anti-racism campaign group Stand Up to Racism and some from far-right groups. While some of those protesting against migrant hotels have said they attended out of concern for their community, others have been accused of stoking tensions to take advantage of discord for political ends.
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Home Office figures show there are about 32,000 asylum seekers being housed in hotels. The Government pledged to end their use by 2029 after National Audit Office figures estimated asylum housing costs would hit £15.3billion over the next 10 year.
Some experts suggest the UK has become a tinderbox, with a sluggish economy, cost of living crisis, struggling public services and widespread distrust in politicians stoking tensions.
The number of people arriving on UK shores via small boats has also focused public attention on the impact of immigration.
At a Cabinet meeting last week, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner noted that 17 of the 18 places which witnessed rioting last summer were among the most deprived in the country.
She said Britain is a successful multi-ethnic, multi-faith country, but the Government must show it has a plan to address people’s concerns and provide opportunities for everyone to flourish.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said last week that the country is close to civil disobedience on a vast scale.
Ministers have pledged to stop migrants trying to reach Britain across the Channel and to end the practice of lodging asylum-seekers in hotels.
