Conservative councils, like Epping Forest, are leading the way on stopping migrant hotels. Others are talking a good game but have no realistic plans.
In Bolton, Conservatives are being proactive in our fight against any possible plans for migrant hotels in our borough. That’s why we’ve submitted a motion for the next council meeting, to take the necessary steps now to secure our towns. The motion reads as follows:
This Council notes:
- The recent successful High Court judgement secured by Conservative-led Epping Forest District Council, granting a temporary injunction preventing the Bell Hotel from being used to accommodate migrants under the Home Office contract.
- 2025 has been the worst year ever for small boat crossings with over 25,000 people crossing the Channel this year alone. Since July 2024, over 50,000 people have crossed the Channel, leaving immigration policy under this government in tatters.
- It is Conservative led councils that are taking real action to protect their residents, while other parties issue press releases and politically posture.
- The increasing pressures faced by local communities where hotels are designated for use as migrant accommodation without proper consultation or local input.
This Council believes:
- That local communities must be properly consulted before significant decisions are made that impact local services, housing, and community cohesion.
- That the use of local hotels as long term accommodation for migrants is not a sustainable solution and places disproportionate pressures on local infrastructure and services.
- That local councils, as the democratic voice of their communities, should have a say in how accommodation needs are managed and delivered.
This Council resolves:
- To request the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Council's legal team, to urgently assess the merits of seeking an injunction to prevent the use of local hotels for migrant accommodation where it is deemed to be in the best interests of the community.
- To write to the Home Office expressing this Council's concerns about the use of hotels in our area for migrant accommodation and to request full consultation with this Council on any future decisions.
- To call on the Government to develop a sustainable, properly planned, and community consulted approach to housing migrants.
- To call on Government to adopt the Conservative Party’s draft Deportation Bill that tackles the underlying causes.
Commenting, Leader of Bolton Conservatives, Cllr Nadim Muslim said:
I was part of the Conservative administration in Bolton that blocked the opening of a migrant hotel at Georgian House. I know what is possible.
That’s why we’re being proactive and tabling this motion for the next council meeting to ensure that Bolton Council is prepared to challenge the Home Office if they bring forward any plans to open a migrant hotel in Bolton.
