Congleton's MP has welcomed the news that a well-known hotel is no longer being used to house asylum seekers.

The Chimney House Hotel in nearby Sandbach is one of 13 hotels across England being 'handed back to their communities', as confirmed by the Home Office on Tuesday, August 11.

The Tudor-style hotel, close to Junction 17 of the M6, had been used as contingency asylum accommodation since at least 2020.

Sarah Russell MP said: "The closure of the Chimney House is an important milestone, in line with Labour's 2024 manifesto commitment to ending the use of hotels for asylum seekers, and processing asylum claims more quickly.

"Reducing hotel use has been possible partly because small boat crossings are down by 43%, whilst the number of successful crossings is down by 49%. This is a result of extensive government action to disrupt the vile people-smuggling trade, as well as improved law enforcement collaboration internationally. Labour has also successfully reduced delays in initial decision-making on asylum applications.

"I would like to thank Refugees Welcome Cheshire East and our local churches for the support they provided to Chimney House residents, and their wider work within our community.

"I know the use of hotels and the backlog in asylum cases concern many residents. Effective immigration management depends on a system that can process claims promptly and fairly, and I will continue to raise that with ministers."

It is expected that the 13 latest closures will save taxpayers £51 million, bringing the expected savings from this year's hotel closures to £224m.

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At the peak of the scheme in 2023, around 400 hotels were being used at a reported cost of £9m a day.

Fewer than 160 asylum hotels are now in use, the government said, with more expected to close.

It is instead increasing its use of larger, basic accommodation, including former military sites.