Anti-migrant protests are expected outside hotels used as temporary accommodation for asylum seekers across Britain over the weekend, amid growing tensions over the issue. More than 32,000 asylum seekers are currently being housed in these establishments, a 8% increase during Labour’s first year in office.
Protesters from Stand Up to Racism are scheduled to take to the streets outside hotels in Bournemouth, Cardiff airport, Leeds, Perth and Aberdeen on Friday and Saturday, while local councils may attempt to block asylum hotels through legal challenges. A judge recently granted a temporary injunction against an asylum hotel in Essex, citing concerns over safety.
The Home Secretary says the government aims to close these hotels “as swiftly as possible” while maintaining order. The Labour party has pledged to end the use of hotels for housing asylum seekers by 2029. Despite rising protests, the number of asylum seekers remains below its peak in 2023, and government spending on asylum is down 12%.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/aug/22/protests-asylum-hotels-england-tensions-mount