Stoke-on-Trent among the first to see asylum seekers moved out of hotels

Asylum seekers in hotels in Stoke-on-Trent could be among the first to be transferred to alternative accommodation, the government said.

Immigration minister Robert Jenrick stated that the "most egregious" use of hotels for migrant housing will be prioritised for return to public use first.

Conservative MP for Stoke-on-Trent South Jack Brereton said that the city had "contributed significantly to accommodating both asylum seekers and refugees", adding: "My constituents in Stoke-on-Trent want to know will the minister be prioritising emptying those hotels in Stoke-on-Trent?"

Robert Jenrick acknowledged Stoke had "stepped up and has provided a significant amount of accommodation".

He added: "We want to ensure that hotels that are the most egregious cases are closed first, and I think in particular of the North Staffs Hotel in the centre of Stoke, that is exactly the sort of important business asset that I would like to see closed swiftly."

Stoke North MP Jonathan Gullis backed the announcement and told us: "I'm also pleased Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Staffordshire County Council will receive additional funding that is so sorely needed to help them deliver the public services that the tax payer rightly deserves access to, as well as ensuring that those people housed in our hotels can be accommodated."

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