Leaked documents from 2022 have shed light on former Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s push to maintain migrant accommodations in hotels rather than investing in large-scale asylum centers. The reports reveal that officials accused Sunak of “refusing to fund” such centers, citing his preference for the cost-effectiveness of hotels over facilities reminiscent of those in Greece, as reported by GB News.
The controversy deepens as the current UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, faces resistance from right-wing members within his party over the Rwanda bill, with concerns that the current version may not effectively curb the influx of migrant boats. Downing Street has scheduled crucial talks with rebel members before the scheduled votes on January 16, 2024
The Sun newspaper reports that aides during Sunak’s tenure as Chancellor urged then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson to challenge Sunak’s position and allocate funds for more substantial accommodation options. A Downing Street dossier highlighted various proposals aimed at addressing illegal immigration, which Sunak was allegedly obstructing.
One notable section of the document stated, “CX [Chancellor] is refusing to fund any non-detained accommodation (e.g., Greek-style reception centers) because hotels are cheaper.” The memo urged Johnson to emphasize that relying on hotels as a long-term solution was “politically untenable and completely inappropriate for the British state.”
Officials argued against Sunak’s perspective, asserting that evaluating the matter solely from a cost perspective was misleading. They contended that voters rightly deemed Sunak’s approach as “completely unacceptable.”
In response, Downing Street sources defended Sunak, asserting that his concerns centered around value for money, and the leaked document presented an unfair representation of his views. Sunak himself labeled migrant hotels a “farce” and initiated the process of phasing them out. In October 2023, the government announced plans to reduce the reliance on hotels and instead house asylum seekers in more affordable accommodations, including RAF bases at Wethersfield in Essex and Scampton in Lincolnshire.
The financial aspect of this debate is underscored by the substantial expenditure on hotel accommodation for asylum seekers, reaching approximately £2.3 billion between April 2022 and March 2023. Sunak’s critics argue that prioritizing cost-effectiveness over humanitarian concerns is a shortsighted approach, while supporters maintain that his emphasis on value for money aligns with responsible fiscal governance.
As the political landscape remains tense with impending votes on the Rwanda bill, the clash over migrant accommodations reflects a broader ideological struggle within the government, prompting a reevaluation of immigration policies and financial priorities in the pursuit of a balanced and sustainable approach.
