Two MPs have described the government's decision to house asylum seekers at a Peterborough hotel as "wholly inappropriate".

The government informed Peterborough City Council of the decision to house 146 asylum seekers at the Dragonfluy Hotel in Thorpe Meadows, on Thursday, November 14. 

The two Labour MPs covering Peterborough, Andrew Pakes and Sam Carling, said they would keep "fighting" for clear answers from the Home Office. 

In a joint letter to Dame Angela Eagle, the minister for border security and asylum, Mr Pakes and Mr Carling expressed "serious concerns" about the "appropriateness" of the location. 

The MPs added: "The Dragonfly Hotel is wholly unsuitable for this purpose, both for the city’s residents and for the migrants involved.

"The surrounding area lacks the infrastructure to provide the necessary support, and the hotel’s use for this purpose could significantly impact local services.

"We understand that the root of this issue lies in the enormous backlog of asylum cases caused by years of mismanagement under the previous Conservative government, leaving the current government to grapple with a system under immense strain.

The added: "While we recognise that addressing this crisis will take time, the decision to house asylum seekers in local hotels is not a sustainable or acceptable solution for our communities."

 

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Mr Pakes and Mr Carling called for "detailed" updates on the government's progress in clearing the backlog of asylum cases. 

They also urged the government to offer reassurance to both reisdents of Peterborough and the asylum seekers being housed at the Dragonfly Hotel. 

The pair added: "This situation requires urgent attention, and we will continue to advocate for a swift resolution that upholds the dignity of all those affected."

The 70-bedroom hotel is located next to the International Rowing Lakes and borders Nene Park. 

Peterborough Matters has contacted the Home Office for comment. 

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