File photo

 

Kemi Badenoch is rallying Tory-led councils to legally challenge asylum hotels in their areas. The court victory by Epping Forest District Council blocked The Bell Hotel from housing asylum seekers, a move Badenoch hailed as a triumph for locals.

 

In her appeal to Conservative council leaders, Badenoch stated, "We back you to protect your community with legal action, if advised." Labour slammed her remarks as "desperate,", highlighting the spike in asylum hotels under Tory governance, which peaked at 400, according to Labour spokespersons.

 

The High Court recently granted Epping Council an injunction to move 140 asylum seekers from The Bell Hotel. Councils are now considering similar actions amid efforts to find new housing for those displaced. Originally a short-term measure, hotel use surged during the pandemic, peaking at 56,042 persons in 2023 under the Tories.

 

Labour's plan is to end hotel use for migrants by 2029 by reducing boat crossings and expediting asylum decisions. Recent Home Office figures show a 15% decrease in hotel-based asylum seekers since December. Epping's case hinged on safety risks and planning breaches, marking a judicial precedent, reported the BBC.

 

Several councils, including Labour-run ones, are now weighing their legal options. Broxbourne Council's Conservative leader, Corina Gander, anticipates launching a challenge inspired by Epping's success. Nigel Farage's Reform UK is also encouraging legal action across its councils.

 

Labour's Carol Dean of Tamworth Council is reassessing options in light of the court's decision, calling it a significant legal precedent. Wirral Council is reviewing potential impacts on planning for a former hotel site in Hoylake whilst reviewing the Home Office’s decisions regarding asylum placements.

 

If successful, these challenges may push the government to explore alternative housing solutions for asylum seekers. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp urges the use of former military sites or barges for accommodation and opposes the use of additional hotels. Home Office Minister Dan Jarvis mentioned looking at diverse options, like tower blocks and former student housing, without specifics.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-08-21

 

Disgusting hypocrite.

9 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

Disgusting hypocrite.

 

And what of the Labour run Councils doing the same thing ?
 

Quote

Labour-run councils are considering legal challenges to close hotels housing asylum seekers after a landmark ruling prompted officials to consider increasing the use of former military sites as emergency accommodation.

Wirral and Tamworth councils said they are exploring high court injunctions to remove claimants after the Conservative-run authority in Epping Forest won a temporary high court injunction to remove people from the Bell Hotel.

Are they disgusting hypocrites ?

 

Or could it be, that these Councils are actually working for the people who live within their Council areas ?

Nice.

 

Hold their feet to the fire Kemi. Keep the pressure on these charlatans pretending to be a government. 

23 minutes ago, The Cyclist said:

 

And what of the Labour run Councils doing the same thing ?
 

Are they disgusting hypocrites ?

 

Or could it be, that these Councils are actually working for the people who live within their Council areas ?

The hypocrisy is the leader of the Conservatives telling Tory councils to challenge asylum hotels in their areas. However it was the Conservatives who caused this explosion in hotel use (and cost) and did absolutely nothing about it. 

That is what makes her a disgusting hypocrite. I thought that would have been obvious.

At least Labour have been actively trying to reduce this cost and eventually end the use of hotels. The Tories did nothing, but now she squawks about it. Hypocrisy of the highest order.

You can see where this is going' the mug of beer' Keir will get writers cramp signing off leave to remains and council houses 🤔

 

Did she ever call for this action during the eight years she has been in parliament?

 

Hmmmmmm!

48 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Nice.

 

Hold their feet to the fire Kemi. Keep the pressure on these charlatans pretending to be a government. 

Shame she didn't hold her own party's feet to the fire when they were in power. This is almost entirely a Tory created problem.

Just bare faced hypocrisy, would expect nothing less though. 

The only way Olukemi Olufunto Adegoke AKA "Kemi" Badenoch will ever get to be Prime Minister is if she moves back to Nigeria (If they will have her back)

1 minute ago, Bannoi said:

The only way Olukemi Olufunto Adegoke AKA "Kemi" Badenoch will ever get to be Prime Minister is if she moves back to Nigeria (If they will have her back)

 

 

She's doomed......my money is on....(I placed a bet on in 2016).......Cleverly (by name, not nature I'd add)

40 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

At least Labour have been actively trying to reduce this cost and eventually end the use of hotels.

 

Have they ?
 

50,000 odd thousand have arrived  since Labour came to Power, says differently.

 

A record breaking number in 2025, says differently.

 

Smash the gangs is not working.

 

The UK / France deal is a farce and will only exacerbate the issue.

 

Show your workings as to how Labour are " Actively trying to reduce " costs.

 

Now, if they had run the Rwanda scheme on a 12 month trial, I might have agreed with you.

 

But they didn't.

8 minutes ago, The Cyclist said:

 

Have they ?
 

50,000 odd thousand have arrived  since Labour came to Power, says differently.

 

A record breaking number in 2025, says differently.

 

Smash the gangs is not working.

 

The UK / France deal is a farce and will only exacerbate the issue.

 

Show your workings as to how Labour are " Actively trying to reduce " costs.

By negotiating cheaper rates, by doubling or tripling room occupancy. And by reducing the Tories' reliance on expensive hotels. Estimates are that spend is down 30%.

 

https://www.thetrailblazer.co.uk/politics/dramatic-drop-in-uk-asylum-hotel-costs-whats-behind-the-30-cut?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Just now, josephbloggs said:

By negotiating cheaper rates, by doubling or tripling room occupancy. And by reducing the Tories' reliance on expensive hotels. Estimates are that spend is down 30%.

 

https://www.thetrailblazer.co.uk/politics/dramatic-drop-in-uk-asylum-hotel-costs-whats-behind-the-30-cut?utm_source=chatgpt.com

 

Holy Christ

 

If the numbers are up 50,000 in a year, how can the costs be going down ?
 

The hotel costs might be coming down ( to zero shortly ) the overall costs are going up.

 

 

 

Add in the cost of Private HMO's  and come back and tell me the cost has came down by an estimated 30%.

Contrary to claims made elsewhere and within the thread.

 

Official Home office figures released today, show that hotel use is up 8%, since the same point a year ago.

 

Quote

A total of 32,059 asylum seekers were being housed temporarily in UK hotels at the end of Labour’s first year in government, up 8% on the same point 12 months ago, Home Office data released today shows.

 

 

A record breaking ( Since records began in 1991 ) 110,000 people have claimed asylum in the UK since Labour came to power.

 

Busting a gut, to solve the problem 😀😀

 

That's a Salford, York or Northampton, in a single year.