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      Asylum hotels latest: Councils vow to take legal action after Epping migrant site shut as Reform calls for protests

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      Protesters gather outside the Bell Hotel in Epping after injunction blocks housing of asylum seekersMore councils are now vowing to launch legal challenges over the government’s use of asylum hotels, sparking chaos for Sir Keir Starmer, as Reform UK calls for protests.Councils have announced they are considering action to ban migrants from being housed in their areas after Epping Forest District Council won an interim High Court injunction to stop asylum seekers being housed at The Bell Hotel.The council successfully argued the site 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.Home secretary Yvette Cooper made a last-minute attempt on Tuesday to halt their removal, arguing that other councils would make similar applications for migrant accommodation in their areas.Reform leader Nigel Farage hailed the High Court decision in Epping as a “victory” and indicated that the 12 councils where his party is the largest would now consider similar challenges.Writing in the Daily Telegraph, he also said that “the good people of Epping must inspire similar protests around Britain”.Meanwhile, the shadow home secretary argued that residents have “every right to object” to people being housed in their area.Spelthorne vows it ‘will not give up’ in pursuing legal actionSpelthorne Borough Council has vowed it “will not give up” as it pursues “every legal and strategic option available”.In a statement issued today, the council said: “Spelthorne Borough Council remains resolute in its opposition to the Home Office’s recent decision to change the use of the Stanwell Hotel from housing families and single women to accommodating single adult males only.“In response to this change, the Council acted swiftly to obtain legal advice regarding the potential for enforcement action on planning grounds. The Council is now working closely with legal counsel in light of the recent High Court ruling on the Bell Hotel in Epping Forest, which may have significant implications for the situation in Stanwell.“The Council is also continuing to press the Home Office for a formal response to previous correspondence and is urging immediate and meaningful engagement.”Cllr Joanne Sexton, Leader of Spelthorne Borough Council, added: “We will not give up. This decision by the Home Office is deeply concerning and was made without proper consultation or consideration of the local community. Our priority is, and always will be, the wellbeing of our residents and protecting Stanwell. We are pursuing every legal and strategic option available to us, and we call on the Home Office to respond urgently and engage constructively.”Tara Cobham20 August 2025 15:45South Norfolk Council issue enforcement notice on asylum hotel in areaThe Independent’s social affairs correspondent Holly Bancroft reports:South Norfolk Council have issued an enforcement notice on the asylum hotel in their area. The hotel owners were served with the order on 8 August, requiring the owners to put in a planning application for a change of use.In the Epping case, the hotel’s owners Somani Hotels Ltd failed to apply for a change of use, leading to Epping Forest District Council taking action against them for a breach of planning permission.Tara Cobham20 August 2025 15:30Solihull Council also considers implications of Epping judgementSolihull Council is also considering the implications of the Epping judgement.A Solihull Council spokesperson said: “Once the full details are published, we will be able to consider what this might mean for Solihull Council and if there are any implications for the hotel in Solihull.”Tara Cobham20 August 2025 15:15Wirral council to consider options as Home Office intends to use former hotel for single male asylum seekersWirral council have said that they are considering their options after the Home Office informed them that a former hotel in their area will soon be used to house single male asylum seekers. The former hotel is currently being used to house asylum seeking families and no planning consent has been brought to change the use of the hotel, the council said. The Home Office informed the council at the end of June that they plan on relocating the families and using the building for asylum seeking men instead.Reacting to Epping Forest Council’s victory at the High Court, a spokesperson for Wirral council said: “We will be considering the detail of the judgement and how it might impact on planning consent for the proposed use of the former hotel in Hoylake”.Rebecca Whittaker20 August 2025 15:00Farage calls for protests following Epping rulingReform UK leader Nigel Farage has called for protests following the Epping ruling.Mr Farage wrote in the Daily Telegraph: “Now, the good people of Epping must inspire similar protests around Britain.“Wherever people are concerned about the threat posed by young undocumented males living in local hotels and who are free to walk their streets, they should follow the example of the town in Essex.“Let’s hold peaceful protests outside the migrant hotels, and put pressure on local councils to go to court to try and get the illegal immigrants out; we now know that together we can win.”Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has called for protests following the Epping ruling More

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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