Home Office responds following the closure of Elgin's Eight Acres Hotel

THE Home Office has responded following reports of the closure of the Eight Acres Hotel, with the facility set to be used to house asylum seekers.

The Elgin Hotel and Spa informed members via email on Wednesday that the hotel, leisure club and spa facilities will close this week.

The Home Office, which is responsible for arranging accommodation for asylum seekers, was unable to comment on the specific situation of the Eight Acres, so it is unclear how many people will be using the facility, or for how long.

However, a Home Office spokesperson said: “The number of people arriving in the UK who require accommodation has reached record levels and has put our asylum system under incredible strain.

“We have been clear that the use of hotels to house asylum seekers is unacceptable – there are currently more than 51,000 asylum seekers in hotels costing the UK taxpayer £6million a day.

“The Home Office is committed to making every effort to reduce hotel use and limit the burden on the taxpayer.”

The Home Office also said that it will engage with local authorities as early as possible whenever sites are used for asylum accommodation and that it works to ensure arrangements are safe and secure for hotel residents and local people.

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