Further information about asylum seekers accommodation

You may be aware that the Home Office has placed a number of people seeking asylum in hotels across Leicestershire, including within the borough, whilst their asylum application is assessed. 

Central government has a statutory duty to accommodate people who are seeking asylum. We know you will have some questions about this situation, how this happened so quickly and what the council’s involvement is. We have put together responses to some frequently asked questions below. We will continue to update these.

Was Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council asked if the hotel could be used for this?

The council was given no notice by the Home Office of their decision to officially ‘stand up’ or activate the hotel and home those seeking asylum. 

Furthermore, our partners – including the police, fire service and county council – were given no notice by the Home Office of this decision. We were informed on 9 November by the Home Office that asylum seekers were placed in the borough during the previous weekend.

Now the hotel is in use, the Home Office, through their approved contractor, is providing support on site 24 hours a day, seven days a week along with security staff. This is all being funded by the Home Office.

Why have the asylum seekers been placed in the hotel?

The Home Office are using a hotel in Earl Shilton as temporary accommodation. This is due to the number of boats that cross the English Channel continuing to rise and the use of hotels is happening across the country, not just in Hinckley & Bosworth.

The decision to house asylum seekers here was made by the Home Office and is a commercial agreement with the hotel. The number of people being housed will fluctuate.

Who made the decision to house asylum seekers here?

The Home Office makes the decision on which properties are used. We were informed of the decision to use the hotel afterwards but were not part of the decision-making process.

How long will they remain?

At the moment, we do not know how long the hotel will be used. We will continue to seek clarification on this.

If you have any question about the provision of the hotel, please contact the Home Office by emailing public.enquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk or by calling 020 7035 4848.