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Asylum Seekers: Support and Accommodation
20 October 2025
Lead MP
Tony Vaughan
Folkestone and Hythe
Lab
Responding Minister
Alex Norris
Tags
ImmigrationAsylum & Refugees
Word Count: 26009
Other Contributors: 29
At a Glance
Tony Vaughan raised concerns about asylum seekers: support and accommodation in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Tony Vaughan supports shortening the waiting period for asylum applicants to around six months, similar to other European countries. He also calls for ensuring that asylum seekers have proper access to legal aid to speed up the process and reduce costs.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Petitions call for shutting migrant hotels down now and deporting illegal migrants housed there, or stopping financial support for asylum seekers. The petitions have received over 256,000 and 427,000 signatures respectively. Tony Vaughan acknowledged the historical compassion of British people towards refugees and highlighted the work of local charity Napier Friends in supporting residents at Napier barracks.
Alex Norris
Lab
Nottingham North
Responded to concerns raised by Sir Ashley Fox, explaining that while there has been an increase in boat crossings, the number of people in hotels has decreased from 56,000 to 32,000. Discussed the issues with the current asylum system, including the use of hotels and net migration figures. Called for improvements to address these challenges.
Alex Sobel
Lab/Co-op
Leeds Central and Headingley
Emphasised the need for wraparound support in health, education, legal aid, integration into communities, and learning about British culture as asylum seekers move from hotels to better community-based facilities.
Apsana Begum
Lab
Poplar and Limehouse
Raises concerns over campaigns targeting asylum seekers in hotels, reports on intimidation efforts by anti-migrant groups, warns of dehumanising effects and division caused by such actions. Asked the hon. Member to give way, focusing on Reform UK’s policies regarding asylum seekers and their impact on communities.
Clapham and Brixton Hill
Emphasised the legitimacy of asylum seekers' claims under international law, pointing out that almost half of applications are accepted at initial decision and over 50% on appeal. Criticized delays in processing asylum claims.
Suggested that illegal migrants currently in hotels should be moved into holding centres for processing before deportation.
Chris Murray
Lab
Edinburgh East and Musselburgh
Highlights that six years ago there were no asylum hotels, criticises previous Conservative Government for signing contracts with private providers leading to an increase in hotel usage. Asks the MP about his party's responsibility. Asked whether the Border Security Commander believed his approach was new or if it had been happening under previous governments. Highlights the disastrous impact of asylum accommodation contracts on local communities, asylum seekers, public finances, and the lack of oversight by the Home Office. Asks for an assessment of contract management and consideration of breaking the contracts next year.
Clive Jones
LD
Wokingham
The Conservatives created this crisis through botched Brexit deals and need to negotiate returns agreements with EU countries.
Danny Beales
Lab
Uxbridge and South Ruislip
Acknowledged that housing asylum seekers in hotels is unacceptable and costly but praised the Government's pledge to end hotel use. He highlighted the backlog of asylum cases under previous governments.
Euan Stainbank
Lab
Falkirk
The Cladhan hotel in Falkirk has been used by the Home Office since 2021, and despite community groups helping with integration, concerns have risen due to a crime committed by an asylum seeker. The Government's actions through clause 48 of the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill are noted.
Gideon Amos
LD
Taunton and Wellington
The incompetence of the asylum system is causing division, with waiting times for decisions exceeding a year in many cases.
John Milne
LD
Horsham
Asked if the long-term solution to releasing pressure across the entire system is a proper returns agreement with as many countries as possible, particularly France. Contributed to the discussion on allowing asylum seekers to work after three months to reduce burden on taxpayers.
Katie Lam
Con
Weald of Kent
She highlighted the issue of illegal immigration through small boats, noting over 200,000 people have arrived since 2018. She called for a stop to asylum support and immediate deportation or return to home countries.
Lincoln Jopp
Con
Spelthorne
Responds to interventions about pull factors and control of borders. Encourages the Minister to prioritise closure of Stanwell hotel due to its controversial nature among residents. Notes that families moved out of hotels are often just relocated to other hotels, questioning the effectiveness of current strategies.
Luke Charters
Lab
York Outer
Calls for an end to the use of hotels and a commitment to providing safe accommodation, criticising conditions in asylum seeker hotels.
Mike Wood
Con
Kingswinford and South Staffordshire
Questioned if Labour expects the total number of nights spent in hotels by asylum seekers to be higher or lower this year compared to last year. Tony Vaughan responded that he cannot predict future trends but noted progress has been made. Interrupts Mr. Charters but does not provide a full contribution in the given text.
Bedford
Con
Mid Leicestershire
He highlighted the dreadful state of hotels, housing waiting lists, and homelessness, expressing anger towards those on his Front Bench for not addressing these issues.
Welcomed Richard Tice's points about the unfair system and advocated for free and safe routes for asylum seekers, highlighting the need to balance the system to ensure community integration.
Charters
Lab
Hartlepool
Asked the hon. Member if she would rule out using British overseas territories for asylum processing, but received no commitment.
Peter Bedford
Con
Mid Leicestershire
Expressed deep respect towards Mid Leicestershire residents who signed petitions regarding immigration issues and criticized the Government's response as disrespectful, unfair, and lacking understanding. He also proposed ending open-door policies and deporting illegal migrants to restore fairness.
Paul Kohler
LD
Wimbledon
The current system wastes public money due to incompetence and cynicism, with nearly 90,000 outstanding applications. The MP calls for nightingale processing centres to clear the backlog within a year.
Phil Brickell
Lab
Bolton West
Supports Mr. Charters, discussing accountability of private contractors and the need for transparency regarding conditions and profits.
Richard Foord
Con
Honiton and Sidmouth
The UK's asylum system has been conflated with other migration issues, and legal migration supports the NHS and care sector. Asked why there is so much focus on this group within the wider migration figures.
Richard Tice
Con
Erith and Thamesmead
Asked if Kevin Bonavia supports moving asylum seekers into houses in multiple occupation or processing centres. He questioned the practicality of solutions proposed.
Sarah Pochin
Reform
Runcorn and Helsby
In Runcorn and Helsby, 461 residents signed a petition to shut down migrant hotels and deport illegal migrants, while 871 others signed another petition against financial support for asylum seekers. The MP emphasises the perceived high costs of housing asylum seekers in hotels and expresses dissatisfaction with the current policy. The hon. Member for Runcorn raised concerns about constituents being fed up with the current situation and questioned the Reform party's approach to solving the issue.
Seamus Logan
SNP
Aberdeenshire North and Moray East
Challenges the petitioners' call for cessation of financial support, criticising the UK government's hostile environment policy towards asylum seekers. Highlights Scotland's approach under the Homes for Ukraine scheme and calls for an effective and humane asylum system.
Ashley Fox
Con
West Worcestershire
Discussed the impact of Brexit on the Dublin regulation and highlighted that without international cooperation, addressing refugee problems upstream becomes challenging. He supported the UK-France deal. Asked whether the speaker believes asylum costs should not come out of the foreign aid budget. His constituents are angry about the increase in people crossing the Channel and being housed in hotels. He criticized Labour's failure to reduce the number of crossings, which has increased by 50% since their election. Asked about progress on disrupting organised crime and questioned the effectiveness of the Government's approach, noting a 50% increase in boat crossings.
Tim Farron
LD
Westmorland and Lonsdale
Asked about improving access to legal representation for asylum seekers, which could help speed up the process. Agreed with Tony Vaughan that proper legal aid would be just and efficient. Complements the hon. Member for taking time to visit and understand local issues, discusses the cost implications for taxpayers and the hardships faced by asylum seekers. Highlighted the Liberal Democrats' five-point plan to fix the broken system, including leading global action against smuggling and trafficking gangs.
Tony Vaughan
Con
Folkestone and Hythe
Noted that asylum applications were essentially paused under the Conservative Government, causing a crisis in accommodation costs. He supported using Rwanda as a deterrent for illegal migrants. Pointed out that detaining 102,000 asylum seekers would cost around £47 billion and questioned the feasibility of the hon. Member's approach. Responded to Mr Bedford's points about withdrawing from conventions for a tough but fair deportation policy, arguing that such withdrawals would not necessarily make things easier or solve the problem. Acknowledged the importance of listening to petitioners' concerns regarding asylum hotels and the need for a balanced approach that includes compassion and control over the system.
Will Forster
LD
Woking
Acknowledges the anger and frustration about the asylum system but emphasizes the benefits immigration brings to the country, including healthcare contributions. Highlights the chaotic state of the asylum system with 30,000 people in hotels and a backlog of 90,000 cases.
Government Response
Alex Norris
The Minister for Border Security and Asylum
Government Response
Acknowledged the history of Britain's compassionate response to those in need, including recent resettlement schemes. He addressed concerns about system gaming and loss of public trust, mentioning the original sin of stopping processing leading to a backlog. The Minister committed to addressing order, fairness, and humanity within the asylum system. Announced plans to close asylum hotels during the Parliament term and highlighted efforts to process claims faster. Mentioned doubling decision making in the system, reducing backlog by 18%, and increasing removals of individuals with no right to remain.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.