The entrance of a hotel designated to accommodate asylum seekers has been blocked by five large boulders, with the individuals responsible remaining unknown.
The Stradey Park Hotel in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, had the rocks placed in front of its entrance, causing disruption to its operations. Carmarthenshire council stated that it was aware of the boulders but denied any involvement in their placement.
The Furnace Action Committee, a local group that engages in discussions about asylum seekers, distanced itself from the incident and denied responsibility. The hotel manager, who preferred to remain anonymous, confirmed that the business had not placed the boulders and that they were discovered by staff around 11:00 BST on Tuesday. Police and the fire brigade were alerted, and the council was contacted due to the disruption caused, including the inability of a coach tour bus to enter the premises.
The Furnace Action Committee stated that independent acts of disruption were expected as part of their opposition to the asylum seekers plan. A spokesperson expressed hope that such actions would persuade the authorities to reconsider their agreement with Clearsprings, the company acting as agents for the Home Office in providing accommodation for asylum seekers across the UK.
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Unison, a labor union, raised concerns about the strain that housing asylum seekers in the hotel would place on local council and health services, which have suffered from severe budget cuts and underfunding for several years. However, the hotel employee emphasized that no staff had been dismissed, and there were no plans for job cuts.
The Home Office confirmed that the property would be used to house asylum seekers starting from July 3rd. The local authority stated that up to 207 individuals, including families, would be accommodated in 77 rooms.
The Home Office acknowledged the incredible strain on the asylum system and acknowledged that using hotels for accommodation was unacceptable. They expressed their commitment to reducing reliance on hotels and alleviating the burden on taxpayers.