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An East Kilbride community group has insisted local concerns around asylum seekers being housed in a town hotel cannot be ignored. A recent poll conducted by East Kilbride Neighbourhood Watch has revealed that 77 per cent of local members do not support The Bruce Hotel being used for asylum and refugee accommodation. The community group, which works closely with residents across East Kilbride on safety and local engagement, has invited local politicians Joani Reid MP and Collette Stevenson to share their views on the issue. “We believe it’s important that local voices are heard and represented on matters that directly affect our town centre,” said KJ Yates, Chief Executive and Chairman of The Community Impact Project / East Kilbride Neighbourhood Watch. In February 2022, Lanarkshire Live revealed that the Bruce Hotel was being used to house 60 individuals who had crossed the English Channel by boat. The Home Office began accommodating dozens of asylum seekers in hotels across the country as part of “contingency arrangements” to handle a huge influx of immigrants descending on the French coast of Calais. East Kilbride and Strathaven MP Joani Reid said: “I understand why people would be concerned. “The sooner we stop using hotels for asylum seekers the better and it’s Labour’s policy to end this by 2029. “The system is broken and hugely expensive but it’s also right that we do provide protection to those fleeing torture and abuse and it is inevitable that will involve accommodating some people. But it would be better if it were not in hotels.” Around 32,000 asylum seekers, around a third of the total number, are currently accommodated in 210 hotels across the UK. But around three quarters of the cost of asylum accommodation is spent on hotels. Westminster’s Home Affairs Committee report urged the Government to set out a clear strategy for tackling the “failed, chaotic and expensive” system. But the MPs warned that the Home Office had failed to share a long-term strategy for housing asylum seekers and had cut corners in its response to pressures. According to the MPs, the Home Office had “squandered” billions of pounds of public money on asylum accommodation more generally. The MPs said estimated costs had tripled to more than £15bn and not enough had been done to recoup excess profits. The report said: “The Home Office has undoubtedly been operating in an extremely challenging environment but its chaotic response has demonstrated that it has not been up to the challenge. “The 2026 break clause and end of the contracts in 2029 represent opportunities to draw a line under the current failed, chaotic and expensive system and move to a model that is more effective and offers value for money.” The committee said the Home Office’s failure to engage with communities had led to missed opportunities to address local concerns. The report added: “The lack of engagement and transparency has left space for misinformation and mistrust to grow, which in too many areas has led to tensions and undermined the ability of local partners to promote social cohesion.” A Home Office spokesperson said: “The Government is furious about the number of illegal migrants in this country and in hotels. “That is why we will close every single asylum hotel - saving the taxpayer billions of pounds. “We have already taken action - closing hotels, slashing asylum costs by nearly £1 billion and exploring the use of military bases and disused properties.” *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here . And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here .
