Thursday briefing: What happens after an asylum hotel closes?

The United Kingdom is continuing its plan to phase out the use of hotels for housing asylum seekers, with Immigration Minister Anna Turley announcing the closure of 13 additional sites. This decision brings the total number of hotels shut down this year to 44, fulfilling a commitment made in the Labour party's manifesto. The government aims to cease all hotel usage for asylum seekers by the end of the current parliamentary term. These hotels have become highly visible symbols in an increasingly contentious debate surrounding migration. The Home Office indicates that fewer than 160 hotels remain in use. The article also touches upon unrelated current events, noting the recent solar eclipse that captivated millions across Europe, from Russia's Arctic north to northern Italy. Additionally, it briefly mentions reports of nurses collapsing during shifts, attributing the issue to "inhumane" working conditions, highlighting broader pressures within the healthcare system.