Rising numbers in asylum hotels: Govt must speed up processing to get backlog down

EMBARGO: Immediate release

Responding to this morning's immigration figures showing a rise over the past year in the number of asylum seekers housed in hotels, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesperson Lisa Smart MP said:

“The asylum backlog has been far too large for far too long.

“The Conservatives trashed our immigration system and let numbers spiral. Now this Labour government is failing to get a grip on the crisis.

“The Government urgently needs to stop dangerous Channel crossings and speed up asylum processing to bring down the backlog and end hotel use once and for all.”

ENDS