Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, is getting ready to contest a High Court decision that mandated the shutdown of a migrant hotel in Essex, amidst alerts that the case could establish a benchmark for asylum accommodations across the UK.
Dan Jarvis, the security minister, affirmed on Wednesday that the Home Office will strive to reverse the temporary order necessitating the closure of the Bell Hotel in Epping.
He mentioned that the administration aimed to guarantee hotel closures were executed in a regulated and coordinated approach, steered by the Home Office and its contractors.
The legal dispute arose after Epping Forest District Council successfully contended that the Bell Hotel required planning authorization to be converted into permanent lodging for asylum seekers. The High Court mandated that all inhabitants vacate by 12 September 2025, unless the hotel’s proprietor, Somani Hotels, files a successful appeal.
This ruling came after months of debate surrounding the location, which had turned into a focal point for anti-immigration demonstrations. Councillors indicated public safety issues and the vicinity to schools and care facilities as grounds for pursuing legal measures.
The Home Office’s legal representatives cautioned that the verdict could encourage other councils to initiate similar legal actions, creating what they termed a “new standard” that would amplify pressures on Britain’s asylum system.
Mr. Jarvis remarked: “This Government will close all asylum hotels, and we will rectify the disorder we inherited from the previous administration. However, these closures must occur in a systematic and orderly fashion. That’s why we will contest this ruling.”
The government has pledged to eliminate all asylum hotels by the completion of this Parliament in 2029, aligning with Labour’s electoral manifesto.
At present, over 32,000 asylum seekers are accommodated in around 210 hotels nationwide.
The Home Office had earlier sought to intervene in the Epping situation but was refused by the judge, who stated its involvement would not materially aid the planning dispute. Officials suggested that hastily removing asylum seekers could escalate tensions and potentially increase the risk of violent protests.
The security minister emphasized that while the government is resolute about ceasing the use of hotels for asylum lodging, doing so “in a systematic way” is vital to ensure the safety of both residents and communities.
The ruling has already prompted other councils — including those governed by Labour — to consider similar legal actions. Planning lawyers have indicated that the Epping decision could alter how migrant housing is managed, compelling the Home Office to obtain planning permission prior to repurposing hotels in the future.
