Erewash MP Maggie Throup has used Prime Ministers Questions in the Commons to ask Rishi Sunak to set a timetable to close asylum accommodation at two hotels in the constituency which are currently housing around 400 asylum seekers.
It comes after Ms Throup was forced to issue a statement having been accused of failing to attend a recent meeting at Sandiacre Parish Hall about the issue, a meeting she was neither aware of nor was invited to, and instead had to stress that she was in fact in Parliament at the time trying to secure a meeting with the Home Secretary to demand that such centres were closed.
Speaking in the Commons at PMQs, Ms Throup said local centres were putting extra strain on services in the area: She said: ''Will my Right Honourable friend commit to an immediate reduction in asylum seekiers concentrated in one place and will he intervene to set a timetable for permanent closure for accommodation centres at this location?"
In response, Mr Sunak said the MP for Erewash had his cast-iron commitment to grips with the issue. He said: "The best way to resolve it is to stop criminal gangs profiting from an illegal trade in human lives and the unacceptable rise in Channel crossings which is putting unsustainable pressure on our system and local services. She has my reassurances that the Home Secretary and I are working day and night to resolve this problem, not just to end the use of expensive contingency accommodation but for more fundamental reform."
Earlier in the week, Ms Throup met with the Immigration Minister to discuss her concerns about the housing arrangements. She said that the location was unsuitable and could lead to safeguarding issues. Speaking in the House of Commons in the days beforehand, Robert Jenrick said he couldn't give her any firm commitment on timings. He said: "We want to ensure that we exit the hotels as quickly as possible, and to do that, we will need to disperse individuals to other forms of accommodation. We may need to take larger sites to provide decent but basic accommodation."
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