Tensions flared across Britain over the holiday weekend as opponents and supporters of migrants clashed in angry protests. Mounted police were deployed in places like Bristol to keep demonstrators apart, while arrests were made as the debate over asylum hotels continues to grow.
The protests came after a High Court ruling that forced the closure of the Bell Hotel in Epping, on the outskirts of London, which had been housing asylum-seekers. The council argued that the hotel had become a flashpoint for “unprecedented levels of protest and disruption.” Anti-migrant groups such as Abolish Asylum System rallied against migrants, while groups like Stand Up to Racism organized counterprotests, leading to heated confrontations.
Although police managed to prevent major violence, the ruling has created a political and logistical headache for Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government. Immigration remains one of the most divisive issues in the UK, with rising Channel crossings and the use of hotels to house migrants sparking strong reactions from local communities.
According to the Home Office, a record 111,084 people applied for asylum in the year to June 2025. Of these, just over 32,000 are currently housed in hotels. While the number is below the 2023 peak of 56,000, it still represents an 8% increase compared to last year. The government has a legal duty to house asylum-seekers, but critics argue that hotels place too much strain on local communities and resources.
Why are asylum hotels causing so much anger in the UK? The answer lies in both numbers and politics. With more than 27,000 unauthorized Channel arrivals this year alone — nearly 50% higher than last year — the system is under pressure. Politicians such as Reform UK leader Nigel Farage have linked migration to wider national issues like housing and healthcare. The government, however, accuses him of exploiting the crisis for political gain.
Opposition politics have also sharpened the debate. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has urged local councils to launch legal challenges against asylum hotels, while Labour-led councils have suggested they may also take similar actions in their areas. The Labour government has rejected the Rwanda deportation plan introduced by the previous Conservative administration, instead promising to disrupt smuggling gangs and speed up asylum case processing.
Starmer has also announced a new agreement with French President Emmanuel Macron aimed at returning some Channel migrants to France. The hope is that tougher enforcement and faster appeals will discourage future crossings. Still, many remain skeptical, pointing out that previous deals and promises have not prevented rising migrant arrivals.
At the same time, the question of where to house tens of thousands of asylum-seekers continues to haunt the government. The plan to use a barge off the south coast was abandoned earlier this year, and military barracks in Kent will no longer be used next month. A former air base in Essex is expected to provide more beds, but long-term solutions are still unclear. Private housing may be the easiest option, but this risks making the already tight rental market even worse.
The challenge for the government is clear: how to balance compassion and legal obligations with public anger and rising political pressure. With migrant numbers climbing, protests intensifying, and communities divided, the asylum hotel crisis is set to remain one of the toughest issues facing Britain in the months ahead.