UK Prime Minister Starmer Plans Accelerated Asylum Hotel Closures

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to accelerate the closure of asylum hotels in the UK, aiming to end their use as soon as possible, while acknowledging local communities' concerns about their presence. Although the government has set a target to close all migrant hotels by the end of the current Parliament, potentially by 2029, Starmer expressed his desire to bring this date forward without specifying a new timeline. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced the launch of the first returns of Channel-crossing migrants to France under a pilot UK-France deal and emphasized that tougher rules for family reunification of those granted asylum will be introduced to ensure the system is controlled and managed effectively. Both leaders highlighted the complexity of migration challenges and rejected simplistic or unworkable solutions, with Starmer criticizing Nigel Farage for promoting the "politics of grievance". The government remains committed to the UK's membership in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), noting that maintaining international agreements is essential for managing returns legally. Overall, the government aims for a balanced approach that respects asylum seekers' rights while addressing public concerns about accommodation and border management.