Maggie Throup OBE, Member of Parliament for Erewash has expressed delight after being informed that the Novotel Asylum Accommodation Centre on Bostocks Lane is set to close in July 2024.
For over a year, Maggie has led a campaign to close the two Asylum Accommodation Centres on Bostocks Lane, raising Erewash’s case directly with the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Rishi Sunak and the Immigration Minister, Tom Pursglove MP. She has also raised her concerns about the centres on numerous occasions in the House of Commons with other Government Ministers.
Following her efforts, the Home Office has now informed her that it is terminating its contract with Novotel on Bostocks Lane, Long Eaton as a hotel to house asylum seekers. They have confirmed that the hotel will cease being used as an Asylum Accommodation Centre at the beginning of July 2024. Asylum seekers housed in the Novotel will be relocated to another accommodation centre although Ms Throup's statement did not specify where this would be.
Maggie said: “When chatting to Erewash residents I know many are concerned about illegal migration and specifically the Asylum Accommodation Centres on Bostocks Lane. For over a year I have led a campaign to close these centres and have raised Erewash’s case directly with the Prime Minister and Immigration Minister.
“I am delighted to tell Erewash residents that the Novotel Asylum Accommodation Centre on Bostocks Lane will close from July 2024. I know this announcement will be well received by many across Erewash.
“This is only a partial victory, and my attention will now turn to lobbying Government Ministers to close the Best Western Asylum Accommodation Centre. The use of hotels such as those in Erewash, which are in effect on a motorway junction, are not appropriate for those seeking asylum.”
A statement from the MP said that the Government’s plan to tackle illegal immigration was making progress, and added that Government action to crack down on evil criminal gangs, deter migrants from making dangerous crossing and, increased cooperation with French counterparts, had resulted in a reduction in small boat crossings by 36 per cent last year.