GB News star Katherine Forster has warned that proposals from the Refugee Council to grant temporary leave to remain to asylum seekers from certain countries could prove “politically toxic” and risk creating a "new pull factor" for migrants.
Speaking on GB News, Katherine said the Government was already “in a huge hole” over housing asylum seekers as court challenges the use of hotels.
Our political correspondent explained: "The Government is in a huge hole over this. We know there’s a precedent potentially being set.
"We don’t know how the current case will go, but they may have to house a whole load of asylum seekers somewhere other than hotels, and quite quickly.
Katherine Forster said it could be 'politically very toxic'
|GB NEWS
"If I had to guess, I would say the Government is very unlikely to go for this suggestion by the Refugee Council, because I think it would be politically very toxic.
"What they are suggesting is this: there are five countries Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iran, Sudan and Syria where the vast majority of asylum claims are granted.
"So why not give people from those countries temporary leave to remain? That would mean they don’t need to be in hotels.
"They could get a job, earn money, and pay for their own accommodation. It would save the state money and get the Government out of this political difficulty.
"They are also talking about how frightening it is for migrants in hotels when protests are going on outside.
"Another suggestion is that the Government could extend something like the Homes for Ukraine scheme, so people could volunteer to house migrants in their own homes.
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"But there is a very visible difference between what happened with Ukraine and what’s happening here.
"With Ukraine, it was women and children fleeing because their country had been invaded, the men were staying behind to fight.
"With migrants arriving here, the vast majority are men, and young men at that."
Host Dawn Neesom pointed out: "And of course, the very few women and children who do come across are also risking their lives. But this isn’t going to stop. This is another pull factor."
GB News has been told that since the new partial returns deal with France became operational on August 5
|PA
Katherine agreed: "Well, exactly. It could be another pull factor. If, you know, if you come from those countries, you'll be able to work.
"Why would you not? That surely makes it even more desirable."
The warning comes as the latest migrant arrivals plunge the Government’s “smash the gangs” policy into even deeper crisis.
GB News has been told that since the new partial returns deal with France became operational on August 5, no migrants have yet been sent back over the Channel.