UK Government Announces Sweeping Asylum Reforms as Protests Erupt Nationwide

Prime Minister Keir Starmer

The United Kingdom government has unveiled major reforms to its asylum appeals process following a weekend of nationwide protests against the housing of asylum seekers in hotels. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour administration says the measures are designed to speed up decisions, reduce costs, and phase out the use of temporary accommodation that has drawn mounting public criticism.

The announcement comes after anti-immigration rallies erupted in multiple British cities and towns including Bristol, Exeter, Tamworth, Cannock, Nuneaton, Liverpool, Wakefield, Newcastle, Aberdeen, Perth, and central London under the slogan “Abolish Asylum System.” Mounted police were deployed in Bristol to keep rival demonstrators apart, while eleven arrests were made in Liverpool for offences ranging from assault to public disorder.

The protests were triggered by a High Court ruling blocking the government from housing asylum seekers at the Bell Hotel in Epping, southeast England, after safety concerns were raised. Tensions escalated further when a local resident at the same hotel was charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl, adding fuel to calls for tougher immigration controls.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper confirmed that the government will establish a new independent appeals tribunal staffed by professional adjudicators to replace lengthy court procedures. The new body will target a 24-week deadline for rulings, compared to the current average of over 53 weeks, and will prioritize cases involving asylum seekers in costly hotel accommodation as well as foreign national offenders.

Official data shows 32,345 asylum seekers are currently housed in UK hotels, despite earlier pledges to end the practice. The Home Office says the backlog of more than 106,000 cases including over 51,000 appeals is the primary source of pressure on the accommodation system, costing millions of pounds per day.

Police praised their officers for maintaining order during the demonstrations. “Our officers have dealt admirably with a really challenging situation,” said Keith Smith of Avon and Somerset Police. “While there were moments of disturbance, we’re pleased to say the two protests have passed without significant incident.”

The Labour government has also confirmed plans to appeal the High Court decision on the Epping hotel, even as ministers move to accelerate reforms aimed at clearing the asylum logjam. Officials insist the changes will ensure that genuine refugees receive protection quickly, while applicants with no valid claim are removed from the country without delay.

Further demonstrations are expected throughout the August public holiday, as debate intensifies over immigration policy, public safety, and the future of the UK’s asylum system.