No hotels in Havering have been commissioned to house asylum seekers since Labour came into power in July, a minister has confirmed.

It comes after Hornchurch and Upminster MP Julia Lopez asked for clarity from the new government on the issue.

In a parliamentary question, Ms Lopez asked whether the Home Office has "commissioned the use of any hotel accommodation in the London Borough of Havering for the purpose of housing asylum seekers since 5 July 2024".

While Dame Angela Eagle, the new minister for border security and asylum, quickly confirmed that no new hotels have been commissioned for this use in the last month, Ms Lopez said her team will be "actively monitoring" the situation.

MP Julia Lopez sought to get answers on social media rumours amongst 'repugnant violence' in other parts of the UKMP Julia Lopez quizzed a minister on the issue of hotels for asylum seekers (Image: Richard Townshend Photography)

Ms Lopez said: "I am pleased to get a swift answer on this issue from the Home Office, particularly given heightened tensions on these issues over the summer.

"However, my team and I will be actively monitoring this situation to make sure that residents have the facts rather than speculation."

RELATED NEWS: Havering Met Police chief: 'Violent thugs will not be tolerated'

The MP said there has been speculation online that Palms Hotel, on the A127 in Hornchurch, was being renovated ready for asylum seekers to be put up there - however it has since reopened as a refurbished events venue and place for people to stay.

During the last Parliament, then minister for legal migration and the border Tom Pursglove confirmed that no hotels were being planned to house asylum seekers in the Hornchurch and Upminster constituency, including the Palms Hotel.

There are no plans to house asylum seekers at Palms Hotel, which has now been refurbished (Image: Google Maps)

Hotels in other parts of the UK, such as Tamworth and Rotherham, have been targeted in what Ms Lopez has called "repugnant violence" following the fatal stabbing of three young girls in Southport last month.

Leader of Havering Council Ray Morgon has warned that anyone thinking about "causing trouble" in Havering will "face the full force of the law".

As part of her response to Ms Lopez, Dame Angela said the new government hopes to "restore order" to the current asylum system.

She said: "The government is determined to restore order to the asylum system so that it operates swiftly, firmly, and fairly.

"This includes our accommodation sites, as we continue to identify a range of options to end the use of hotels to accommodate destitute asylum seekers."