Calls for rethink on using hotel as refuge for asylum seekers
‘CONCERNS’ AS AUTHORITIES GIVEN ‘VERY LITTLE NOTICE’ OF THE PLANS
COUNCIL leaders have urged the government to rethink plans to rehouse asylum seekers at a Kegworth hotel.
In an open letter, Councillors Nick Rushton and Richard Blunt have called for the contract to use the Best Western Yew Lodge hotel to be dropped.
It was revealed last week the hotel was closing to the public as part of a Home Office deal that will see it take in up to 250 asylum seekers.
The move has sparked widespread concern in the community, with North West Leicestershire MP Andrew Bridgen calling on the Home Secretary to block the move.
Now, the leaders of Leicestershire County Council and North West Leicestershire District Council have joined forces and backed calls for the plans to be halted.
They said both authorities were given “very limited notice” of the plan and believe a rethink is required.
In a letter addressed to immigration minister Robert Jenrick, county council boss Coun Rushton and district council leader Coun Blunt said they were “extremely concerned” by the proposed arrival of 250 asylum seekers.
Both also criticised Serco’s handling of the asylum rehousing process, while the impact it would have on Kegworth was also raised.
The letter said: “Both Leicestershire County Council and North West Leicestershire District Council have been given very limited notice of the planned use of the Yew Lodge Hotel and very limited information has been shared with the two authorities.
“We still do not know whether the asylum seekers will arrive at once or in stages, or what the demographic composition of the arrivals will be.
“This makes effective preparation for their arrival extremely difficult, and the uncertainty creates understandable concern within the community, providing fertile environment for rumour and misinformation.”
The letter also makes clear the pair’s opposition to the uneven distribution of asylum seekers across the East Midlands.
The two leaders said Leicestershire has taken in 663 asylum seekers compared to just 96 in Nottinghamshire. “An explanation for this unequal distribution will be very welcome,” they said.
Couns Rushton and Blunt believe the public needed more say. The county council leader said: “Public services are already at bursting point. It places extra pressure on already stretched frontline services.
“When people arrive with little or no notice, we have to divert resources away from other priorities.
“It’s unacceptable to place extra pressure on councils without providing more funding, so we can do the right thing by these people in ensuring they get the care and attention they need.”
Coun Blunt said: “The proposal by the Home Office is causing a great deal of concern in the village of Kegworth. We, as authorities, are concerned we would have liked more consultation within the village.
“This is a major change in somebody’s backyard and people should have a say in it, so we are speaking on behalf of the people of Kegworth.”
The leaders spoke out as concerns continued to grow in Kegworth itself. A protest outside the Best Western Yew Lodge hotel was planned for today.
Organiser Olivia Bruce said: “The feeling we’re all getting at the moment is that everyone feels completely powerless.
“It’s not the asylum seekers’ fault. It’s not their fault what they are thrown into.
“It’s a small village and with an influx of 250 people added to it, it’s hard enough to get a GP appointment at the moment.
“To have it completely dropped on us out of the blue, then to find out it’s happening within a week, it’s scary.”
Police said they were aware of the planned protest. The force said it will send a proportionate response to the gathering.