Government Phasing Out Higher-End Accommodation

The Home Office is set to announce the phasing out of luxury four and five-star hotels for Channel migrants, as ministers prepare for next year's election. This decision comes after a drop in crossings this year, freeing up resources from marginal swing seats.

Reducing Costs and Clearing Backlog

The government is currently spending over £8 million a day to house the 26,116 migrants who have made the journey this year. However, this number is significantly lower than the 37,575 who had crossed by this point last year. As a result, a number of contracts with hotel groups will not be renewed, and larger ex-military sites will be used to accommodate asylum seekers. Efforts to clear the asylum backlog have also contributed to fewer rooms being needed than expected.

Key Seats at Stake

It has been revealed that some of the hotels being phased out are located in key seats that the Tories need to hold in next year's election. MPs have faced backlash from locals who have seen their hotels block-booked for migrants for months. Among the hotels affected are the four-star Novotel Hotel in Ipswich, Suffolk, and the three-star Westone Manor Hotel in Northampton.

Positive Reactions from MPs

Local MP Tom Hunt expressed his support for the decision to phase out the Novotel Hotel in Ipswich, stating that it is for the good of the community. The town has swung between Tory and Labour in the past three elections. The three-star Bay Majestic Hotel in Eastbourne, East Sussex, will also bid farewell to migrants, as the Tories hold a wafer-thin majority in the town.

Next Steps

Borders Minister Robert Jenrick is expected to announce the first 50 hotel closures in January 2023 in a statement to MPs today. This move is part of the government's ongoing efforts to address the issue of Channel crossings and manage the influx of migrants.