Andy Slaughter MP on asylum hotels and how we move forward

The facts behind the backlog, the failures that caused it, and the path to resolution

Guest blog by Andy Slaughter MP

The conversation around ‘asylum hotels’ is back centre stage, and unfortunately, the commentary online and in parts of the news media has been irresponsible and misleading. Much of the discussion confuses legal and illegal migration.

Claiming asylum in a country that is not your own is not illegal. Central government has an obligation to house and feed asylum seekers whilst their applications are determined as they have no right to work or to access public funds. Without this they would be destitute and sleeping rough.

In the past, the Home Office have used dispersed accommodation and individual properties, but due to a failure to process applications under the last government, hotels were commissioned, initially as an emergency measure.

There is universal agreement that hotels are not suitable accommodation. They are expensive but they are far from luxurious. They are often overcrowded and lack basic facilities such as access to kitchens or private bathrooms.

They are especially unsuitable for families with young children or those with health and mobility problems.

Families seeking refuge have often been placed in very small rooms without necessary facilities and asked to wait for months or years with no end date in sight.

This present Government has recognised that, and at the last General Election pledged to close all asylum hotels by the end of this Parliament.  Now the Prime minister has said he wants to see that happen sooner.

We did not get here by accident. The overreliance on unsuitable and inadequate accommodation to house asylum seekers is a crisis manufactured by the previous Conservative government.

It was a political choice to stop processing applications, allow a backlog of unresolved cases to accumulate, and create an ever-growing dependence on hotels as emergency accommodation.

The solution is relatively simple, but it is not quick: process the backlog of applications. Once asylum claims have been determined those whose applications are accepted obtain refugee status.

They are able to find work and their own accommodation and start making a contribution to the economy, culture and life of their adopted country. Alternatively, if their application is refused, they will face deportation.

Neither the determination of claims nor deporting failed applicants happened with any efficiency under successive Tory governments. Now, the Home Office is processing applications at speed and carrying out deportations in short order.

Against this background the Epping case has provided an unhelpful distraction and has created unnecessary unrest.

The original decision to close the hotel to asylum seekers was rightly overturned by the Court of Appeal in a very clear judgment.

Decisions to close individual hotels to asylum seekers cannot be made without considering public policy or the practicality needed to resolve what is a national problem. A strategy is needed here to deal with this issue responsibly and permanently.

The intimidation of those placed in hotels is entirely unacceptable, as are the attacks on police and public disorder we have witnessed.

READ ALSO: Police arrest anti-immigration protestors outside West London hotel

Refugees and asylum seekers are people, and they have the right to live without fear. The civil unrest and mob violence must be dealt with strictly, as we saw last summer.

Image: Crowne Plaza hotel near Heathrow

The UK was a major player in creating the body of international law and treaties which govern our attitude to asylum seekers and refugees.

Contrary to the rhetoric of populist politicians those obligations are just as relevant today as they were in the wake of the second world war.

We share this duty with other countries around the world, many of which have far fewer resources and a far greater burden. The United Kingdom should not turn its back on this shared responsibility.

Finally, the responsibility to help those fleeing persecution not only rests with governments and international agencies.

Communities around the UK have stepped up to offer practical and moral support to displaced people.

In Hammersmith and Chiswick we are incredibly fortunate to be served by West London Welcome, and other fantastic organisation providing help and community to asylum seekers, refugees and migrants.

West London Welcome can provide support with English classes, activities and advice. They work tirelessly to provide for those who need their services in West London.

Andy Slaughter is the Member of Parliament (MP) for Hammersmith and Chiswick.