Protests over the use of hotels for asylum seekers are heating up as the Government rolls out new plans to speed up the removal process for those without legal rights to stay in the UK. Outside the Castle Bromwich Holiday Inn in the West Midlands, a group of demonstrators, some with the St George’s Cross, gathered to protest under the “Abolish Asylum System” slogan. Meanwhile, police presence was noticeable at hotels across the country, including London’s Canary Wharf.
In Epping, The Bell Hotel saw a more lively scene as around 150 people, including kids, joined a festive protest. Cars honked in support while uniformed officers kept a watchful eye.
The Government’s revamped asylum appeal process aims to transition asylum seekers from hotels to flights out of the UK more efficiently. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper highlighted ongoing efforts to restore order in the chaotic asylum system and reduce hotel reliance by 2029. As of June 2025, a record 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK, with over 32,000 still housed in hotels.
Saturday’s protests led to 15 arrests, yet demonstrators returned in full force on Sunday. Castle Bromwich protesters even scaled a ladder to hang flags. Across London, in Canary Wharf, 20 protesters stood silently with UK flags, advocating for prioritising housing for homeless Britons.
With the asylum system stretched thin, Labour has vowed to move away from using hotels altogether. However, the current challenge remains court delays in asylum appeals, which can drag on for over a year. The Refugee Council’s Imran Hussain emphasises the need for accurate initial decisions to streamline the appeals process.
The Government continues tackling the backlog, having made progress with a 24% reduction in initial waiting decisions. But the road ahead is long, and reforms aim to establish a fair, independent system that keeps $600 million per year taxpayer costs in check.