MP demands timetable for removal of asylum seekers from Peterborough's Great Northern Hotel

Peterborough MP Paul Bristow is taking new action in a bid to remove asylum seekers from the city’s Great Northern Hotel.

Now Mr Bristow has called on the Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick to set out a timetable for the removal of about 80 asylum seekers from the 170-year-old-hotel in Station Approach.

The move comes after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that more appropriate venues would be used to base asylum seekers so that they could be moved out of places like the Great Northern Hotel.

Mr Bristow states in a letter to Mr Jenrick: “Peterborough currently assists more asylum seekers than any other town or city in the East of England.

"Our city has a strong track record of supporting asylum seekers, but resources are already stretched.

“The Great Northern in particular is an inappropriate hotel to be used to accommodate migrants.

"We have just secured £48 million to redevelop the Station Quarter in Peterborough. This iconic hotel is part of that.

"It is not in anyone's interests - not least the individuals themselves - for this hotel to be used in this way.”

About 80 asylum seekers – all males – were moved into the 41 bedroom Great Northern Hotel by Serco, acting for the Home Office, on November 11 last year.

But Mr Bristow and Peterborough City Council criticised the move saying the prominent hotel, which stands opposite the railway station, was not appropriate as a refuge for asylum seekers and that there was a risk to key infrastructure.

The hotel also sits in the midst of the Station Quarter, which has just secured £48 million of Government Levelling Up funds to pave the way for an ambitious transformation.

In his letter Mr Bristow tells the Immigration Minister: “I welcome the Prime Minister's recent announcement that more appropriate accommodation sites will be used in the future, allowing people to be moved out of expensive hotels.

“However, we need to see progress on the Great Northern Hotel.

"Can you give me a timetable for when this hotel will be stood down for migrant accommodation?

“I would be more than happy to meet with you to go over the timeline in more detail.”