A seaside hotel looked like any budget getaway—until one traveler realised they were the only tourist. Every other room was booked for people placed there by councils. The scene captures how £3bn a year now goes on temporary accommodation, with hotels filling gaps in Britain’s housing system and reshaping coastal tourism, local services, and the hotel trade.
Conservative mayor Paul Bristow wants Peterborough council to challenge the use of hotels for asylum accommodation, citing a landmark High Court ruling in Epping that found the practice breached planning rules. The judge ordered asylum seekers be moved by September 12. Bristow says the same planning arguments could apply in Peterborough, opening a new route for councils to push back.
A High Court injunction now forces the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, to remove asylum seekers by September 12 after protests erupted over allegations against residents. Politicians backed the ruling as a response to safety fears, while the hotel owner warns it could leave vulnerable people without shelter. The decision may influence other local councils.
Hardeep Singh Kohli, the Scottish TV personality and Celebrity Big Brother star, faces a 2025 trial for alleged sexual offences. He denies six charges tied to incidents from 2007 to 2016 involving three women. Kohli, known for his media roles and pro-independence activism, remains a controversial figure as legal proceedings unfold.
Three members of one family have died and another is seriously injured following a shooting in Maguiresbridge, County Fermanagh. The PSNI is investigating the tragedy, which has shaken the local community and left many searching for answers.
Rosie Roche, distant cousin to Prince William and Prince Harry, was found dead at her family's home in Wiltshire. The 20-year-old Durham student’s death, discovered by her mother and sister, is not considered suspicious. Authorities continue to investigate, with proceedings paused until October.
The UK government’s £6 billion welfare overhaul introduces strict PIP assessments and payment freezes, hitting disabled people the hardest. Universal Credit is restructured to promote work, granting higher allowances for some but slashing support for many with severe health conditions.
The UK is set to introduce tougher visa rules aimed at cutting high migration numbers, especially targeting foreign workers. The plan will raise skill requirements for work visas, expand opportunities for top talent, increase penalties for sponsor abuses, and extend the settlement process. New rules are expected to come into effect soon.
