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      Voices: ‘Short-term fix to a bigger crisis’: Readers react to Epping asylum hotel ruling

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      Independent readers are divided over the High Court ruling that asylum seekers must be moved out of The Bell Hotel in Epping, with many seeing it as a fraught and short-term fix to a wider housing and migration crisis.Many argued the judgement sets a dangerous precedent, effectively rewarding protests and unrest by closing hotels, and leaving asylum seekers displaced without proper alternatives. Others warned that the decision risks emboldening far-right groups, who would see disruptive tactics as a way to influence local planning and policy.But some commenters backed the court’s decision, saying local people had been ignored for too long while their towns and services absorbed sudden changes without consultation. “Ordinary UK citizens are sick of being ignored while resources are stretched thin,” said one reader, echoing widespread frustration that communities feel powerless over decisions made in Westminster.Meanwhile, however, several readers stressed that immigration is essential to the UK’s economy, especially in an ageing society, while others called for safe and legal asylum routes to end the small boats crossings. Critics of Reform and Nigel Farage accused them of exploiting the crisis for political gain, while pointing out that both Tory and Labour governments had failed to address the backlog.Here’s what you had to say:This is no victory for EppingThe government are now actively fast-tracking migrants from hotels to HMOs all across the country. As a landlord with two of these types of property, the temptation of a lease from Serco is getting far too hard not to take.I approximate that landlords will get an extra £2,000–£5,000 per year to lease to the government. Not only that, you don’t have to ever find a tenant or look after the property as Serco completely take over the management and maintenance duties.These properties have a great value to society, as they are frequently used by split families, where fathers can’t afford a full-price rent or mortgage. These places give them time to get back on their feet and live well, whilst paying maintenance. Also, young single people who don’t have a strong family network – it’s their only way to afford any accommodation. These people are being squeezed out as more properties are turned over to the government. 227detiusOrdinary UK citizens are sick of being ignoredPeople in towns like Epping are exhausted. They never asked for their local hotel to be turned into an asylum hostel, never got a say, and yet they’re the ones left living with the consequences – rising tension, fear, and the sense their community is being changed without their consent.Ordinary UK citizens are sick of being ignored while resources are stretched thin and foreign nationals are prioritised over them. This isn’t about hate – it’s about fairness, safety, and respect for the people who actually live here. The High Court ruling is a rare moment where local voices have finally been heard, and many feel it’s long overdue. RFAThey are asylum seekers, not migrantsThey are asylum seekers and cannot be called migrants. I have seen some people in hotels where they seem lost. What they need is a place to sleep and be able to eat their nation’s dishes, and hotels are not aware of what food they eat. On top of that, hotels hire people who speak their language to learn their taste.If they can buy stuff themselves, that will reduce costs for government considerably. Once their case is finalised, they can start work and won’t be a burden to government. TotiCallingThe far-right create the problems they rail againstSo, right-wingers who voted in a right-wing party to stop asylum seekers being housed in run-down empty homes across the country that locals didn’t want to live in, and house them in hotels instead, have won a victory against the policy they created. It’s endless.The far-right create a problem, then rail against it, then by their actions create a new problem that they then blame on others and rail against that.If the UK stops accepting asylum seekers, which is what the anti-immigrant groups want, countries that border conflict zones may also reject their international obligation, leading to many times more asylum seekers heading to the UK where they will just go underground and untracked. It could also potentially damage our relationships with trading partners that do take asylum seekers and undermine our moral position that supports our global trading and strategic interests.But hey, why look at potential problems when you can raise a pitchfork and kick off. BrotherCheFarage is stirring up the crisisProfessional agitator Farage is stirring up the crisis for political gain! Reform has NO policies but “stop the boats” – a problem Labour inherited from the Tories. However, it seems the right-wing media are pushing Farage and Reform as they are the party of the establishment, who would deregulate Britain – only an advantage for the richest few.The small boats crisis also, as giving Farage a single-issue rhetoric, masks the large legal migration that happened under the TORIES – and we are not told how large it is now! MintmanQuestionable judgementA questionable judgement. It says to local communities if you don’t want these asylum hotels/refugees in your communities, you can protest on the grounds it might make it unsafe for your children on their way home from school, and you get the council to shut them down. You just have to make a fuss on behalf of your children. chrishPlaying a very dangerous gameThe left-wing political establishment is playing a very dangerous game, bringing people into the country in this way and planting them in the middle of settled communities – and at great expense. The political establishment might think they are provoking the far-right, but in reality they are provoking ordinary people, many of whom have fallen on hard times. If they carry on like this, it could get very ugly. MarkReform don’t do solutionsI see Reform claiming credit for this judgement.I don’t see any practical solutions from Reform as to how to tackle this problem. In fact, it seems Reform don’t do solutions.While the number of asylum seekers held in hotels etc is now one for Labour to solve, it should be remembered who was responsible for this backlog to build – the last government. JRileyImmigration is here to staySome people blame Tony Blair for embracing a policy of high immigration. However, the truth is that during the Blair years, net migration was generally small but increased to between 200,000 and 300,000 per year in 2004 (Migration Policy Institute). However, in the post-Brexit years net migration rose to between 600,000 to 900,000 per year (ONS).The UK is a rapidly ageing country and cannot function without immigrants. So, immigration is here to stay and people should be grateful for that, especially pensioners and those on benefits, because immigrants pay taxes that allow the government to pay pensions and benefits. Pomerol95Kicking the can down the roadSo the far-right start to riot, and their targets are punished and moved away? Makes sense. I’d rather we get rid of the far-right that are ruining the town.Good job on kicking the can down the road a bit. BobertsonIf you don’t like immigration, don’t cheer invasionsA large proportion of recent asylum seekers come from countries like Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Libya – all countries which have been reduced to ruin by invasions which most of these people enthusiastically supported. If you don’t like immigration, don’t vote for people like Tony Blair or Lord Snooty Cameron, don’t cheer on “Our Boys” when they go rampaging around the world! enviousSafe routes are neededGenuine refugees need SAFE routes that the last Tory government took away, and a reintroduction of such routes would probably eliminate the small boats problem. Christopher1959Some of the comments have been edited for this article for brevity and clarity.Want to share your views? Simply register your details below. Once registered, you can comment on the day’s top stories for a chance to be featured. Alternatively, click ‘log in’ or ‘register’ in the top right corner to sign in or sign up.Make sure you adhere to our community guidelines, which can be found here. For a full guide on how to comment click here. More

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      Rachel Reeves considers ‘mansion tax’ to fill Treasury black hole

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      Rachel Reeves is considering hitting the owners of high-value properties with capital gains tax when they sell their homes as part of an attempt to fill a £40bn hole in the public purse. The chancellor is said to be looking at ending the current exemption from capital gains tax for primary residences as she seeks ways to raise cash in the face of dire warnings about the state of the public finances – a move that would be seen as a “mansion tax”. Such a move would see higher-rate taxpayers pay 24 per cent of any gain in the value of their home, while basic rate taxpayers would be hit with an 18 per cent levy.Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves More

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      Minister brands Farage ‘the very worst’ kind of politician over asylum hotel claims

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      The “very worst” kind of politicians “try to drive people apart”, the security minister has said in response to comments made by Nigel Farage over the use of asylum hotels.Dan Jarvis accused the Reform UK leader of fanning the flames of division that has seen protests flare up outside hotels housing asylum seekers after Mr Farage celebrated a council’s successful legal challenge against one in Epping. Epping Forest District Council won an interim High Court injunction to stop asylum seekers being housed at The Bell Hotel, arguing it had become a “feeding ground for unrest” in recent weeks after a series of violent protests resulted in multiple arrests and saw police officers injured.Mr Farage said Reform-controlled councils will appeal the use of asylum hotels More

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      Why where you live can affect your school grades – and the gap between areas is only widening

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      Pupils in London are outperforming those in the rest of the country, but Labour has no credible plan to fix the problem, a leading think tank has warned. A report by the Institute for Government (IfG) warns that educational inequalities in England have “grown wider and more pronounced” across the country and among various demographic groups since the Covid pandemic. Despite the government’s commitment to closing the disadvantage gap, the think tank warned that ministers had “not yet articulated a clear vision or plan for delivering this goal”. Sir Keir Starmer sitting round a table with school children More

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      UK at ‘tipping point’ as millionaires consider moving abroad over wealth tax fears

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      Some 60 per cent of British millionaires believe they could have a better life abroad, a new survey has revealed.More than half of all the 1,000 wealthy respondents also said they are more likely to consider leaving the UK if Rachel Reeves introduces a wealth tax.The CEO of Arton Capital, the consultancy that commissioned the survey, said the findings show the country is “at a tipping point”, as the chancellor revealed plans for a new homes levy that is already drawing backlash.Some 60 per cent of British millionaires believe they would have a better life abroad, a new survey has revealed More

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      UK preparing to send troops to Ukraine as part of ‘reassurance force’ if peace deal is struck

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      The UK is preparing to deploy troops to Ukraine as part of a “reassurance force” if a peace deal is reached with Russia, Downing Street has said. It comes after Sir Keir Starmer co-chaired a meeting of the “coalition of the willing” on Tuesday morning, attended by more than 30 international leaders, after Monday’s talks in Washington. The meeting saw leaders discuss possible further sanctions on Russia to pile pressure on Vladimir Putin to end the war, as well as plans to meet with their US counterparts in the coming days to put in place security guarantees for Ukraine to deter future Russian aggression. Emmanuel Macron speaks to Sir Keir Starmer during a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing More

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      Reeves’ new homes levy slammed as a ‘tax on ordinary Londoners’ that will hit families hardest

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      Rachel Reeves’ plans for a new property tax on homes worth over £500,000 have been slammed as a “tax on ordinary Londoners” that will hit families hardest. The chancellor is reportedly considering a shake-up that will see homeowners taxed on the sale of properties over the £500,000 threshold, with buyers then forced to pay a yearly tax on their value. It would replace the current stamp duty regime for first homes, which sees buyers pay a tax on the value of properties over £125,000, or £300,000 for first-time buyers. Rachel Reeves said that any decisions on taxation would have to wait to be made in the autumn Budget (Yui Mok/PA) More

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      Voices: ‘Owning a £500k home does not make you rich’: Readers challenge Reeves’ property tax plan

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      Independent readers are divided over proposals being considered by Chancellor Rachel Reeves for a new tax on homes worth more than £500,000, with many questioning whether the threshold would unfairly affect ordinary homeowners rather than the truly wealthy.Several argued that in high-priced areas, £500,000 is not a marker of wealth, with smaller homes often costing more than that. “In London and parts of the South East, owning a £500k home… does not make you rich,” noted one reader, while others suggested a higher threshold or regional variations to avoid penalising middle-class families.Some readers welcomed the idea of targeting unearned property wealth, arguing that decades of house price rises have created inequalities that younger generations cannot overcome. “Taxing property, targeting unearned income, is what the government needs to do,” one wrote.Others warned the tax could have unintended consequences, including discouraging downsizing, reducing housing market mobility, and forcing homeowners to raise asking prices to offset the levy. There were also concerns that pensioners or couples on modest incomes could be hit unfairly.Across the board, readers emphasised the need for a fair approach that distinguishes genuine wealth from ordinary homeowners.Here’s what you had to say:Regional house price disparities I have recently moved from Berkshire to Yorkshire. The semi-detached house I’ve bought was £200,000 in Yorkshire, but the equivalent and possibly terraced house in Berkshire would have been £500,000. So this tax would certainly be a detriment to workers in the South East. The salary weighting is far from compensating for the house price difference.Over a £1,000,000 might be a more appropriate national figure, but possibly there would need to be some regional differences. This could also be reflected in IHT rates for inherited property.The problem that really needs to be addressed is ensuring that richer people actually pay tax on all their income and/or property, and that they are not able to legally “evade” tax using loopholes.Get a free fractional share worth up to £100.Capital at risk.Terms and conditions apply.Go to websiteADVERTISEMENTGet a free fractional share worth up to £100.Capital at risk.Terms and conditions apply.Go to websiteADVERTISEMENTDavidWRDo you think a £500k property tax is fair? Join the conversation in the comments.Property wealth tax concerns A tax on the unearned wealth of property due to the housing market of the last 40 years is a sensible tax. However, £500,000 is too low. It will bring many people who are just making ends meet into paying a tax they can’t afford. In many parts of the country, especially the South East, £500k will barely get you a two-bed terrace house.If a couple has scrimped and saved to buy one in the last few years and can just afford the mortgage, they may end up being stuck in a property they can’t afford to sell. That will impact both job mobility and the housing market.Maybe raise it to £750k to ensure it’s only the genuinely wealthy that pay it.TabbersRedistribution of unearned property wealth A lot of people are missing the point… too much of the nation’s wealth has been tied up in property, with huge increases in prices over the last 20–30 years, all to be passed on to siblings. Younger generations without rich parents don’t stand a chance.The government has no choice but to try and extract this unearned income and attempt to redistribute it to give other people a future. Taxing property, targeting unearned income, is what the government needs to do (and ignore the naysayers).ChrisMatthewsRegional variation needed £500K is far too low… no way is this a wealth tax, more just about managing tax. The average cost of a home around here is about £450K, and that is a two-bed terrace. Surely the price should not be a blanket one but reflect different areas?mindfulImpact on downsizing All that is going to do is make it far more likely that people in larger houses won’t downsize, leading to increases in the value of those houses as the market dries up. The cost of moving house is already stopping many pensioners from downsizing. The level should be far higher or adjusted for regional differences at the very least.KrakenUKInefficient housing stock In the south of England, developers only want to build large homes as that’s where they can make the most profit. They justify the need for large homes by stating there is a terrible shortfall. In reality, there are millions of large homes in the UK with single elderly people rattling about in them, when a smaller, more efficient, quality home would make far more sense. Older people balk at the thought of selling up and paying loads in Stamp Duty for their new home. A new ‘selling’ tax will just cement this inglorious cycle.Hardly SurprisedCouncil tax outdated This Council Tax was a last-minute replacement for the Poll Tax. It has become as unpopular because it is based on property prices nearly 35 years ago. Things have moved on since then, and so should this tax system.jadfgIllusion of wealth through property The illusion that you create wealth while sitting on your backside checking Zoopla to see how much your house has gone up has to be broken. Work creates wealth. Property prices just redistribute it unfairly. The worst result of house price booms is the emergence of millions of little property empires of buy-to-let investors who retire at 45 and contribute nothing thereafter. Ironically, they end up renting to each other’s kids, but their imagination doesn’t stretch that far.CarolanMiddle-class southern households Labour seem determined to lose all support everywhere. In London and parts of the South East, owning a £500k home, which is often smaller than a £300k home up north, does not make you rich.This is partially about trying to win over people who call middle-class southerners “the London elite”. Has Starmer not realised that no amount of red meat can satisfy the rabid? They just grow bigger and stronger on it. Starmer and co are reluctant to penalise the super-rich who can get rich after their term in office or use their media clout to hound them out.BrotherCheEconomic warning More adjusting of the net curtains while the house crumbles…Prof Richard Wolff and Analyst Sean Foo on China dumping increasingly worthless US bonds, but after Japan and China, the UK, the third largest holder of worthless bonds, is buying more – collapse is on the horizon, especially as Trump blunders with little understanding of the impact:Meanwhile, here in the UK, our chancellor is buying US Treasury Bonds like there’s no tomorrow! At the same time, we are told we are so skint we’ll have to cut back on help for the disabled. This will wreck our economy – all to try and crawl to Trump, who hates them!DolphinsImpact on pensioners A property tax doesn’t take account of residents’ incomes. Four wage-earners in a £499k property would not pay, but a couple of pensioners in a £501k property would have to starve – and freeze – to death.Lucy LasticProperty as investment People look to accumulate profit in house ownership to compensate for low wages. If their gaff is going up by 5 per cent year on year, they’re quids in and can retire in style.Lots of people own houses as a business – what percentage of homeowners actually live in that home? Stop anyone owning more than one house, especially foreign buyers. We are rife with investors dispossessing us here.covergoSome of the comments have been edited for this article for brevity and clarity.Want to share your views? Simply register your details below. Once registered, you can comment on the day’s top stories for a chance to be featured. Alternatively, click ‘log in’ or ‘register’ in the top right corner to sign in or sign up.Make sure you adhere to our community guidelines, which can be found here. For a full guide on how to comment click here. More