Councillor Nathan Evans, Leader of the Conservative Group on Trafford Council, has today called on the Labour-run administration to demand that the Home Office immediately close the Cresta Court Hotel in Altrincham, as it reaches the end of its first-year contract housing asylum seekers.
The Cresta Court has now been used for twelve months, and Councillor Evans insists that the contract must not be renewed. He is also seeking the closure of the Ashley Hotel in Hale, which has been used for nearly three years for the same purpose.
These calls follow the release of a major parliamentary report by the Home Affairs Committee, which found that the Home Office has “wasted billions of pounds” on hotels used to house asylum seekers — describing the system as “failed, chaotic and expensive.”
Councillor Evans said:
“The Government’s own parliamentary report has made it clear that the use of hotels to house asylum seekers must stop. The Cresta Court and Ashley Hotels were never intended for long-term accommodation. It is unacceptable that this situation has been allowed to continue for so long in our community.”
Councillor Evans also expressed disappointment at the lack of engagement from the local MP on the matter:
“Our MP has attended only one of eleven meetings held on this issue — and that solely to discuss fire regulations. This lack of leadership and accountability is unacceptable, especially on such a serious matter affecting local residents.”
He added that every time the Conservative Group has raised this issue, they have faced “abuse and hostility” from Labour, Liberal Democrat, and Green councillors.
“It is deeply ironic that the Labour government now agrees with us — that these hotels should be closed — yet local Labour politicians continue to ignore both the community and their own government’s position.”
Councillor Evans concluded:
“The time has come to act. We call on Trafford Council to stand with local residents and demand that both hotels be returned to their intended use.”
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