Carlisle’s MP has written to the Home Secretary demanding urgent answers over a second hotel being used to house asylum seekers in the city.
The Cumbria Park Hotel on Scotland Road will be used for asylum seekers waiting to be processed by the Government.
John Stevenson was told it would house single females only, but said he now believed this was not the case and has been pressing Home Office ministers.
He wrote to Home Secretary Suella Braverman demanding a number of answers to concerns he and his constituents have.
Mr Stevenson said: “I also met with Robert Jenrick, the Minister for Immigration, today about the issue of asylum accommodation in the city. I passed on the huge concerns that many in the city have about the appropriateness of the site location and other issues related to the decision.
“It is important that we get clarity on the details of the proposals and accommodation.
“People in Carlisle are welcoming and want to do what they can to help people in need – but there is a sense that problems at the border are being foisted on different parts of the country without proper engagement.
“Ultimately, the channel crossings need to be dealt with now – this is what I have told the minister.”
His letter to Home Secretary Suella Braverman said:
“As you will be aware, there is now a second hotel in Carlisle being used to house pre-application asylum seekers. This is extremely disappointing and, in my opinion, the wrong decision.
“Not least due to the location of the second hotel, it being in a built up residential area close to schools and other local amenities. I am surprised that the location was considered acceptable.
“Prior to first arrivals, I did have a conversation with officials from the Home Office. They assured me that the asylum seekers being placed in the hotel would be single females. I am now led to believe that this will not be the case.
“Therefore, as a matter of urgency, can you respond to the following in regard to Cumbria Park Hotel:
- Why was I told that only single women would be using the accommodation if this is not the case?
- How many individuals will ultimately be moved to the hotel?
- What nationalities will the individuals be?
- Confirmation that local schools will not be used (as they are already under pressure). If they will be, confirmation and details of the extra resources which will be provided as a result.
- What is the timescale for their stay? Can you please provide confirmation that once an application is processed, individuals will not be replaced in the accommodation on a rolling basis?
- What is the estimated cost to the taxpayer in this particular instance?
- Can you guarantee that there will be no further sites in Carlisle will be used for accommodation?
Asylum seekers will be arriving on Friday, November 11, and the hotel said, in an automated email response, that any future bookings will be refunded.
The independently owned hotel said it would be in touch with people who had booked rooms and events at the venue over the coming days.
