😡 Asylum Hotels and Illegal Channel Crossings

• The session addressed concerns about asylum hotels and illegal channel crossings, with questions directed at the Home Secretary.

• The Home Office currently uses three providers to accommodate asylum seekers: Clearsprings Ready Homes Ltd, Serco Ltd, and Mears Ltd.

• The Home Office has taken action against Clearsprings Ready Homes Ltd, demanding the removal of its subcontractor, Stay Belvedere Hotels, due to substandard performance.

• The government aims to reduce the cost of using hotels for asylum seekers, which is a priority.

• Efforts to curb illegal channel crossings include tougher enforcement, increased returns, and cracking down on illegal working to disrupt smuggling gangs.

• The number of asylum seekers in hotels has increased by 8,000 since the last election, and the cost to taxpayers is around £2 billion annually.

• The number of illegal crossings increased by 31% in the nine months following the last election, with 2025 showing the highest number of crossings to date.

• The government has restarted asylum processing to address a backlog of over 100,000 cases inherited from the previous administration.

• Actions are being taken to improve the asylum system’s efficiency, including reviewing contracts and exploring alternative accommodation solutions.

• There is ongoing cooperation with Europol and other European countries to disrupt people-smuggling gangs.

• The government plans to increase returns of those with no right to stay in the UK and is working on speeding up the asylum appeals process.

• Ministers are focused on minimizing the use of hotels for asylum seekers and returning these facilities to local communities as soon as possible.

• The government is committed to working internationally to address the root causes of migration and to enhance border security.

The session exhibits a high level of disagreement, primarily between the government and the opposition, as well as among different political parties. The disagreements are evident in several key areas, including the management of asylum hotels, the effectiveness of policies to reduce illegal channel crossings, and the overall handling of the asylum system. Here are some examples that illustrate the disagreements:

1. Asylum Hotels and Costs: Chris Philp criticizes the government for the increased use of asylum hotels and the associated costs, stating that the number of asylum seekers in hotels has risen by 8,000 since the election, costing taxpayers around £2 billion a year. He questions when the government will end the use of these hotels, indicating a strong disagreement with the government’s approach. Dame Angela Eagle responds by highlighting the backlog and chaos inherited from the previous government, suggesting that the current situation is a result of past mismanagement.

2. Channel Crossings and Gang Activity: Philp also challenges the government’s claim of ‘smashing the gangs’, pointing out a 31% increase in illegal channel crossings since the election. He accuses the government of capitulating to the gangs rather than controlling the situation. In response, Eagle defends the government’s actions, mentioning increased returns and law enforcement efforts, and criticizes the opposition for their record during their time in power.

3. Rwanda Scheme and Deportation: There is significant disagreement over the Rwanda deportation scheme. Philp demands an apology for cancelling the scheme, arguing that it was a necessary deterrent. Eagle counters by refusing to take lessons from the opposition, emphasizing the inherited backlog and the failure of the Rwanda scheme to act as a deterrent.

4. Contract Management and Value for Money: There are disagreements over the management of asylum contracts, with opposition members like Stella Creasy criticizing the previous government’s handling of contracts with providers like Clearsprings, which led to chaos and increased costs. Eagle acknowledges the inherited contracts and the government’s efforts to improve value for money, such as the action against Stay Belvedere Hotels Ltd.

5. Processing and Backlog: The speed and efficiency of asylum processing are contentious. Lisa Smart and others question when the backlog will be reduced, while Eagle explains the efforts to ramp up processing and address the inherited backlog, including the appeals system.

6. International Cooperation and Aid: There is disagreement on the role of international cooperation and the impact of aid cuts. Sir Roger Gale and Jeremy Corbyn raise concerns about the long-term international solutions and the effects of aid cuts, while Eagle suggests these issues be addressed with the Chancellor.

7. Public Trust and Community Impact: Amanda Martin and others express concerns about public trust and the impact on communities, with Eagle acknowledging the need to reassure the public and manage the situation effectively.

Overall, the session is marked by strong disagreements on policy effectiveness, past and present management of the asylum system, and the impact on taxpayers and communities. The rating of 4 reflects the intensity and frequency of these disagreements throughout the session.