Use of hotel for asylum seekers on hold, MP says
OBJECTIONS RAISED THAT VENUE WOULD BE UNSUITABLE
THE Home Office has paused plans to use a hotel for asylum seekers, an MP has revealed.
Loughborough MP Jane Hunt objected to a proposal to use the Quorn Country Hotel to house new arrivals when it was brought to her attention recently.
Bookings and events at the hotel were abruptly cancelled from January 9, with customers told the government had “privately acquired” the property.
The decision sparked anger from some who had weddings and regular meetings held at the venue.
Last week, we told the story of Pooja Devani and Arjuna Thakker who brought forward their wedding at 48 hours notice after being informed the venue would be shut for their original date of January 29.
Ms Hunt said Quorn was a “completely inappropriate location” and that the plan would be a “considerable strain” on the local authority, police and other services.
She challenged Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on allowing hotels to be used for this purpose after he vowed to bring forward alternatives.
The Home Office and a spokeswoman for the hotel have denied rumours circulating online that contracts had already been signed, despite numerous cancellations.
In an update on the matter, Ms Hunt said: “Following on from my previous statement, in which I set out why I am against the proposal to house asylum seekers in a hotel in Quorn, as well as the actions I have taken, I have now received an update from the Home Office to say that they have paused their consideration of using the hotel for asylum seekers and that they will keep me updated on any further developments.”
The management of the hotel and the Home Office have been contacted for further comment.
Online bookings via the hotel website appear to have been made available again up until mid-January, 2024. Bookings were previously unavailable for the foreseeable future on the website.
A spokesman for the Home Office said: “The number of people arriving in the UK who require accommodation has reached record levels and has put our asylum system under incredible strain.
“The use of hotels to house asylum seekers is unacceptable. There are more than 45,500 asylum seekers in hotels, costing the UK taxpayer £5.6 million a day.
“We engage with local authorities as early as possible whenever sites are used for asylum accommodation and work to ensure arrangements are safe for hotel residents and local people.”