During a heated exchange on GB News, presenter Nana Akua repeatedly challenged Labour MP David Pinto-Duchinsky over the Government's plans for housing migrants once hotels cease being used for this purpose by 2029.
The People's Channel star posed the same fundamental question four times: "Where are they going to go?"
Despite her persistence, the MP avoided providing concrete details about alternative accommodation arrangements.
Mr Pinto-Duchinsky responded by highlighting reductions in hotel usage and cost savings exceeding £1billion pounds.
He emphasised that the Home Office was examining various possibilities and prioritising faster claim processing.
Nana Akua clashed with the MP on GB News
|GB NEWS
When pressed further about specific destinations, including whether migrants would be returned to countries like Afghanistan, the MP maintained his evasive stance, stating he wouldn't "make Government policy" during the live broadcast.
The MP's responses consistently deflected from the central question about future accommodation plans. He stated: "The Home Office will be exploring where they will go," offering no concrete alternatives to hotel accommodation.
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When challenged about potential deportations, Mr Pinto-Duchinsky maintained that officials were "looking at all the options" whilst emphasising the importance of swift claim processing.
He pointed to successful international examples where rapid processing had proved effective.
"I'm not going to sit here on live TV and make Government policy. We are looking at every possible solution and trying to bring forward practical solutions to this problem," the Labour MP declared, continuing to sidestep specifics about where the thousands of asylum seekers currently in hotels would be relocated.
The Labour administration has committed to terminating the practice of accommodating asylum seekers in hotels before the current parliamentary term concludes in 2029.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper recently indicated this timeline could be accelerated, though she declined to provide specific deadlines.
Current figures reveal 32,059 asylum seekers residing in over 200 hotels across Britain as of June's end, marking an eight per cent increase from the previous year's 29,585.
Nana Akua asked the same question four times during the heated exchange
|GB NEWS
Daily costs to taxpayers have decreased from £8.3million in 2023/24 to £5.77million in 2024/25.
The accommodation shortage has intensified due to unprecedented Channel crossings, with over 29,000 arrivals by small boat this year - nearly 50 per cent higher than last year and the most recorded at this stage since 2018.
Ms Cooper has disclosed that warehouses and industrial facilities are being considered as potential accommodation for asylum seekers.
Speaking to MPs on Monday, she confirmed the Government was examining military sites and industrial premises as alternatives to hotels.
Protesters have been taking to the streets in Epping in their continued demonstration against the hotel | PAWhen questioned about specific industrial locations, Ms Cooper identified warehouses as one option under consideration.
Britain currently has over 60 million square feet of vacant warehouse space across 306 units, the highest availability since 2011, according to estate agent Savills.
The Home Secretary revealed discussions were underway with councils to identify suitable sites, including former student residences, Government properties, disused office towers and former teacher training institutions.
She acknowledged that housing asylum seekers in expensive properties, such as £300,000 three-bedroom townhouses in Suffolk villages, was inappropriate.
Recent demonstrations have erupted outside multiple hotels accommodating asylum seekers across England.
On Sunday, hundreds assembled at the Bell Hotel in Epping, where protesters displayed signs demanding "Deport foreign criminals" while children wore shirts reading "Send them home, please protect me."
The Epping facility became a flashpoint following allegations that a 38-year-old Ethiopian resident attempted to kiss a 14-year-old girl in July.
An appeals court recently reversed a lower court decision that had temporarily prohibited the hotel's use for asylum seekers.
Similar gatherings occurred at London's Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf and Manchester's Best Western Hotel.
Metropolitan Police arrested four individuals after masked demonstrators became aggressive during the Canary Wharf protest.
Five arrests were also made on Saturday when masked men attempted to enter a hotel near Heathrow Airport.