UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds says Britain is ready for riots as tensions rise over asylum hotels, with police warning of unrest spreading nationwide.
As reported by The Independent, ministers are preparing for possible summer riots amid rising anger in British towns over migrant hotels being used to accommodate asylum seekers.
After violent clashes outside an asylum seeker hotel in Epping, Essex, the Business Secretary said authorities are ready to respond. He revealed that emergency services, police, and government agencies have been placed on alert for any further disorder.
What did Jonathan Reynolds say about UK unrest fears?
When questioned about whether Britain is prepared for a potentially unrestful summer, Jonathan Reynolds responded, “All the government, all the key agencies, the police, they prepare for all situations.”
He said,
“So I wouldn’t want you to be talking this up or speculating in a way which is unhelpful. Of course, the state prepares for all situations. But I think what we’ve got to talk about is: why are people unhappy with, say, the asylum system? Are they reasonable? Are they upset for legitimate reasons? Yes, we share those as a government. That is why we are sorting it out.”
Mr Reynolds stated,
“And I understand the frustrations people have, but ultimately, you solve those frustrations and solve the problem by fixing and getting a grip of the core issue, which is what we’re doing.”
The Business Secretary revealed that the government has halved the number of hotels being used to house asylum seekers. The figure has dropped from 400 to just over 200 as part of efforts to reduce reliance on temporary accommodation.
What did Brian Booth say about the pressure on police officers?
Police officials have warned that increasing violent protests are placing huge pressure on forces nationwide.
Brian Booth, deputy chair of the Police Federation, stated that Britain’s national mobilisation plan involves redeploying officers to support other forces when needed.
He said many officers are losing rest time and working extended hours, with resignations rising due to low pay and lack of motivation.
Mr Booth added,
“The demand has got too high; the service is stretched to the maximum. It’s like an elastic band, and all of a sudden, we’ll have a snap. There’s only so much pressure that can be placed on them.”
Why did unrest erupt outside the Bell Hotel?
Demonstrations in Epping, outside a hotel housing asylum seekers, have resulted in £100,000 in damage.
Essex Police were forced to bring in officers from other forces after clashes left eight injured by bottles and flares thrown by protesters.
Riots sparked by false news online led public order police to work 40,000 shifts in just 10 days last July and August. The unrest followed the tragic deaths of three girls in Southport.
What did Angela Rayner say about last summer’s riots?
The Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner urged ministers to address public concerns, citing severe deprivation in communities hardest hit by last summer’s unrest.
She told colleagues that
“economic insecurity, the rapid pace of de-industrialisation, immigration and the impacts on local communities and public services, technological change and the amount of time people were spending alone online, and declining trust in institutions were having a profound impact on society.”
Referring to Ms Rayner’s comments on riots, Number 10 spokesperson said,
“I think she sees a link between concerns that people have about where the Government is acting on their behalf and acting in their interests, and a range of factors.”
They added,
“High levels of immigration over the last 10 years, including illegal immigration, but also, importantly, the cost of living, economic security, the rapid pace of technological change and deindustrialisation and changes in the economy, these are all factors that have had an impact on our social fabric and social cohesion.”
What did Michael Gove say about Labour’s warning of unrest?
The ex-Tory minister, Michael Gove said,
“I think this is a mistake on Labour, to brief this out, I think it is a big mistake, it reminds me of what happened in the 1970s when [former US president] Jimmy Carter when America was going through difficult times said ‘this country is in the grip of a malaise.’”
He added,
“You do not, if you are the government, accentuate the negative in this way and you certainly don’t suggest to people that violence might be about to break out in this way.”