The Welsh government has called on the UK government to take responsibility for the “damage” caused by its handling of plans to house asylum seekers in a Llanelli hotel. The UK government cancelled plans to accommodate up to 241 asylum seekers at the Stradey Park Hotel earlier this week, sparking criticism from the Welsh government. Although the Home Office, which is responsible for dealing with asylum seekers, has not given a reason for the decision, social justice minister Jane Hutt said she would be seeking “urgent reassurances” and financial compensation. There have been frequent protests outside the hotel since the plans were first announced, and an opposition group was established.
Speaking in the Senedd, the Wales assembly building, Hutt said: “I just want to reassure you that I’m seeking urgent assurances from the Home Office that they’ll take full responsibility and repair the damage caused by their decisions around Stradey Park”. She added: “Wales plays its full part in UK government asylum and resettlement schemes. We continue to help people to rebuild their lives”. Hutt also said that the Home Office must work with Welsh officials on any future decisions across Wales to prevent a repeat of the incident. Hutt will meet with Robert Jenrick, the minister for immigration, next week to discuss the matter in detail.
Labour’s Joyce Watson criticised the plan during a topical question session in the assembly, saying that it had caused “huge upset and division within the local community.” Meanwhile, Plaid Cymru’s Sioned Williams stated that the UK government’s policies on asylum seekers were “despicable, discriminatory disastrous and inappropriate,” adding that these policies were driven by “ideology and not compassion.” Williams accused the government of trying to sow division rather than foster social cohesion.
Although the Home Office has not yet issued a response, BBC Wales reported that Hutt is seeking financial compensation, as well as the government’s commitment to repair the damage caused by the decision. It remains to be seen whether the UK government will agree to these demands.
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