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A High Court ruling favoring a council's challenge to asylum seeker housing in hotels sparked protests. Anti-migrant groups clashed with counter-protesters, leading to arrests but no major violence. The government, facing record asylum applications (111,084 in the year to June 2025), is grappling with housing asylum seekers, currently using hotels for over 32,000 individuals. While the number is down from a peak, the situation fuels political debate, with some politicians linking migrant arrivals to national problems. The government aims to reduce channel crossings and speed up asylum processing, exploring various housing solutions while navigating political tensions and potential for further unrest.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.