Asylum Hotels and Illegal Channel Crossings Debate

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Department: Home Office

Asylum Hotels and Illegal Channel Crossings

Paul Kohler Excerpts
Tuesday 25th March 2025

(4 days, 15 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Angela Eagle Portrait Dame Angela Eagle
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I believe that people need to think about the language they use and the impressions of human beings they give when they talk about this very emotive issue. It raises huge concern, I know. As a Government, we have certainly got to do all we can to try to reassure people that we can get this system back under control, after finding a chaotic mess when we came into Government.

Paul Kohler Portrait Mr Paul Kohler (Wimbledon) (LD)
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I recently wrote to the Minister to request the estimated savings the Government expect from the closure of 10 asylum seeker hotels. In response, I was informed that while the Home Office publishes data on the number of people housed in hotels, it does not report on the number of rooms occupied. A hotel accommodating people in shared rooms incurs significantly different costs from one where individuals occupy separate rooms, yet that critical distinction is overlooked. Given that effective policy decisions must be based on clear evidence, will the Minister commit to publishing room occupancy data to ensure accountability and informed decision making?

Angela Eagle Portrait Dame Angela Eagle
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I will write to the hon. Gentleman.