Epping asylum hotel to close by July, says MP

The asylum hotel in Essex which has been at the centre of protests will cease housing migrants by 11 July, the local MP has said.

Neil Hudson said the government told him the Home Office would terminate its asylum accommodation contract with the Bell Hotel in Epping.

All asylum seekers were removed from the hotel because of fire safety concerns earlier this week. The Home Office was approached for further comment.

"This situation has gone on for far too long," added Hudson, a Conservative, who said he was pleased the contract was coming to an end.

The Bell Hotel has been used on and off to house migrants since 2020.

There were 138 residents at the hotel in the autumn, but the number has dropped in recent months.

Demonstrations turned violent outside the hotel last summer after one of its residents was charged and subsequently convicted of sexually assaulting a child.

A government spokesperson said the removal of asylum seekers this week was a precautionary measure and it took the safety of service users and staff extremely seriously.

A Home Office spokesperson said on Thursday: "We are closing every asylum hotel and moving asylum seekers into basic accommodation including ex-military sites," they said.

"The population of asylum seekers in hotels has fallen by 35% in the last year and by 63% from the peak under the previous government."

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