The UK government wants to change the asylum appeals system to make it faster and reduce costs.
Right now, many asylum seekers stay in hotels while waiting for their cases. More than 32,000 people are living in hotels, costing taxpayers a lot of money. The government says this situation cannot continue.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper explained that first decisions on asylum applications are now faster. But appeals take too long—on average more than a year. Over 51,000 people are waiting for appeal decisions, and the government pays for their accommodation during this time.
To fix this, the government will create a new, independent body with adjudicators. These adjudicators will hear appeals more quickly than the current courts. More details will be shared in the autumn.
The government has promised to close asylum hotels during this parliament, but it says it must be done in a safe and managed way.
The issue has caused protests across the UK. Some people are angry about asylum seekers living in hotels, while anti-racism groups have held counter-protests. In some towns, like Epping, tensions grew after a crime case linked to an asylum seeker. The High Court even blocked asylum seekers from staying in one hotel, saying it was unsafe. Other councils may take similar legal action.
Opposition parties have also reacted. The Conservatives say the system is in chaos, while Reform UK has called for mass deportations. Local councils from different parties are also divided on housing asylum seekers.
The government insists it is taking “practical steps” to speed up decisions and reduce the use of hotels.
-Peace News Desk