UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Conservative-run East Lindsey Council weighs action to reclaim a Skegness hotel for holidaymakers, following a High Court injunction in Epping.
As reported by The Telegraph, East Lindsey, home to Skegness, is exploring legal action to close a hotel housing asylum seekers and reopen it for tourists, following a High Court ruling in Epping.
The High Court granted Epping Council an injunction on Tuesday, 19 August, ordering the removal of migrants from the Bell Hotel for breaching planning laws.
What did Craig Leyland say about hotels used for asylum seekers?
Cllr Craig Leyland, the Tory leader of East Lindsey council, said,
“We have always been clear to the Government that we stand strongly against the use of hotels in our district by the Home Office for those seeking asylum.”
He stated,
“I have followed the case by the Conservative-run Epping Forest district council and yesterday’s judgment with great interest. I have asked officers to investigate and understand this case and will take appropriate action once we understand if there are any similarities that we can act on.”
Mr Lelyland said,
“East Lindsey is one of the most visited holiday destinations in the country, and we are currently in the peak season for Skegness and our other coastal resorts.”
He added,
“We remain committed to doing all we can to return this vital tourism accommodation to its intended use, and to preserving and promoting our position as a welcoming family holiday resort.”
Which UK councils are planning legal action on asylum hotels?
Labour-run councils, such as Wirral and Tamworth, are planning legal action. Nigel Farage’s Reform UK said all 12 county councils under its control will campaign to close asylum hotels.
Six councils, including Newcastle, Ashford in Kent, Wychavon, South Staffordshire, and North Yorkshire, said they will not pursue legal challenges.
Home Office’s plans to accommodate 20,000 migrants
Earlier this month, the Home Office issued an appeal for 5,000 properties to house up to 20,000 migrants. Contractors reached out to the property experts, with each unit planned to accommodate four migrants across two bedrooms.
The government aims to collaborate with councils to provide houses and vacant properties for asylum seekers. They are also targeting disused tower blocks, student residences, and former colleges for medium-sized accommodation sites.
The new appeal reportedly seeks temporary housing, allowing migrants to stay for 90 days with an additional 30-day notice.
Labour has pledged to end the use of asylum hotels by the next election in 2029, but small boat arrivals are at record highs in the Channel.
Skegness’ annual visitors
Skegness, East Lindsey, is famous for its seaside resort and has a population of nearly 21,000. The previous government cut the number of asylum seekers in Lincolnshire.
During the summer, the seaside town of Skegness hosts over 250,000 visitors, increasing its population more than tenfold. The resort attracts nearly four million visitors annually, with local tourism jobs running at four times the national average.
Kemi Badenoch’s views on legal challenges to asylum hotels
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has urged Conservative councils to take legal action against asylum hotels amid tensions with local authorities.
In a letter to Tory councils, she encouraged them to follow Epping Council if their legal advice supports it.
Ms Badenoch lauded the legal action, telling councils she would “back you to take similar action to protect your community.”
She slammed Labour for “trying to ram through such asylum hotels without consultation and proper process.”
A Labour spokesperson stated that Ms Badenoch’s letter was a “pathetic stunt” and “desperate and hypocritical nonsense from the architects of the broken asylum system”, adding, “20,000 fewer asylum seekers in hotels than at their peak under the Tories.”
What did Chris Philp say about protests outside asylum hotels?
Chris Philp, Tory shadow home secretary, said people were “understandably angry” over the Government amid questions on potential protests at asylum hotels.
He said,
“People are understandably angry about the Government, the Labour Government’s failings, the border crisis they’re presiding over.”
Mr Philp stated,
“They do have the right to peacefully protest – I do stress the word ‘peacefully’. Peaceful protest is lawful; it is every citizen’s right to do that.”
The shadow secretary added,
“We need a Rwanda-style deterrent so everyone crossing the channel illegally gets deported either back to their country of origin if possible, or a third country if not.”
Nigel Farage’s stance on protests outside asylum hotels
Reform’s leader Nigel Farage called on citizens to stage peaceful protests against asylum hotels, urging local authorities to follow Epping Forest’s example.
He said,
“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.”
Mr Farage added,
“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.”
Key details about asylum seekers in the UK in 2025
Britain received 109,343 asylum claims by March 2025, the highest since 1979. Around 32,059 asylum seekers were housed in hotels, a costly solution.
Most applicants were adult males. Top nationalities included Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Syria. There were also 3,707 claims from unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.