Life of limbo in nondescript hotel

THE people at the heart of the dispute appear to be oblivious of the wider argument and are focused only on the wait to see if they will be granted refuge.

The nondescript city centre hotel where they are being housed has few thrills, and asylum seekers, who are not permitted to work, have little or no cash to get by.

One of those staying in the hotel, aged in his 20s, said he was originally from Sudan and had been living there for some months.

But language barriers prevented him from making any further comment about his experiences in Birmingham and why he had come.

Several other asylum seekers declined to talk.

The spacious city centre hotel has received mixed reviews from guests in TripAdvisor. Some say it is badly in need of refurbishment.

A member of staff at the hotel said it was currently closed to the public.

Decisions on applications can take years. By the end of March this year, 51,906 people were waiting for an outcome on their initial claim for asylum.

Asylum seekers are normally provided with accommodation and £37.75 on a pre-paid card for food and provisions. However, if provided with accommodation in a hotel, individuals are not entitled to any financial support on the basis that they are provided with meals. The placement of large groups into new areas is a sensitive one – both in terms of the impact it will have on a community and the welfare of those being moved in.