UK Plans Major Asylum System Overhaul Amid 32,000 Migrants in Hotels

The UK government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, is proposing significant reforms to the asylum system to address rising illegal Channel crossings and the strain on accommodation. Plans include moving asylum seekers out of hotels, where over 32,000 migrants currently reside, and exploring alternative housing such as warehouses or local housing, while aiming to close migrant hotels by 2029 in a controlled manner. Cooper announced a suspension of new family reunion applications and suggested changes to the interpretation of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, aiming to reduce incentives for dangerous migration routes. The government emphasizes restoring order by increasing removals of failed asylum seekers and foreign criminals, enhancing border security with digital ID and biometric checks, and working with France to manage crossings. Despite the challenges, officials stress the UK's commitment to humanitarian values, while seeking reforms to prevent exploitation by criminal smuggling gangs and control the asylum system effectively. Opposition parties like Reform propose even stricter immigration policies, including removal of illegal migrants and withdrawal from the ECHR.