Anti-migrant protests continued across the UK on Sunday, with demonstrators gathering outside hotels housing asylum seekers in multiple cities, including Epping, Bristol, and Birmingham. The protests come amid growing pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government to end its use of hotels for asylum seekers.
The protests have been fueled by concerns about public safety, particularly after a migrant was charged with sexual assault while staying at a hotel east of London. A court ruling last week ordered the removal of asylum seekers from a hotel in Epping, which has become a focal point for anti-immigration protesters.
Official figures show that asylum claims are at a record high, with more migrants being housed in hotels compared to a year ago. Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, has outlined plans for mass deportations of migrants who crossed into the UK by small boats, including withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights and striking repatriation deals with countries like Afghanistan and Eritrea.
In response to the protests, the government announced plans to reform its asylum appeals process, aiming to accelerate decisions, reduce a backlog of 106,000 cases, and phase out hotel use for asylum seekers. An independent body of adjudicators will handle asylum appeals, reducing wait times and addressing concerns about public safety.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/08/24/europe/britain-migrant-protests-asylum-latam-intl