Afghan refugees ‘to be evicted from hotels’
Thousands of Afghan refugees currently living in hotels in the UK will reportedly be offered a property under new Government plans.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Thousands of Afghan refugees are reportedly set to be forced out of hotels, under new Government plans.
The Times newspaper reports that the Government will announce later on Tuesday that Afghan refugees, between 8,000 and 9,000 of whom are currently living in hotels in the UK, will be given a few months’ notice before being moved out.
The news is likely to spark concerns that some Afghan refugees could become homeless.
According to the paper, the plan will not apply to asylum seekers housed in hotels by the Home Office.
The move, due to be announced by veterans minister Johnny Mercer, will reportedly see refugees offered a property, although those who fail to take up the offer ahead of a deadline will be asked to vacate their hotel.
The details are expected to come as part of an announcement to the Commons later, with Mr Mercer set to tell MPs that the Government will find permanent homes for refugees.
Thousands of Afghan refugees arrived in the UK following the Taliban takeover and the fall of Kabul in 2021.
Figures provided to the Commons Home Affairs Committee last year showed that £5.6 million a day was being spent on hotels for people who have arrived in the UK and have submitted an asylum claim, with £1.2 million paid to house Afghan refugees who fled the Taliban.