Scuffles, arrests as protesters across UK rally against asylum hotels

Protests erupted across the UK on Saturday against the use of hotels to house asylum seekers, with counter‑demonstrations by antiracism groups leading to clashes and arrests. The rallies followed a High Court ruling blocking a hotel in Essex from hosting asylum seekers after local opposition. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government, facing record‑high asylum applications and Channel crossings, says it will appeal the decision while pledging to close all asylum hotels by 2029, Al‑Jazeera has reported. The unrest comes as far‑right Reform UK leader Nigel Farage pushes for “mass deportations” and withdrawal from international refugee agreements, fueling tensions over immigration policy.