Dawn Neesom has expressed fury over the Government's latest accommodation policies for asylum seekers.
Her comments came as the Government introduced fresh guidance establishing consequences for those who decline relocation from hotels.
Home Office sources revealed that hundreds of migrants decline transfers from hotels to alternative accommodation each week, potentially including social housing.
Under the new regulations, those who persistently refuse relocation face eviction and potential withdrawal of their weekly £49.18 financial support.
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|Dawn Neesom fumed at MPs for "putting politics before people"
Speaking to migration expert Mike Jones, Dawn said: "On one hand, I’ve got the Government telling me we have a housing crisis that we need to build 400,000 homes every single year to house homeless people in this country.
"On the other hand, now I’m being told we have lots of empty homes available for migrants. Can you make that make sense?"
Jones responded: "It doesn’t make sense. This generous face we show it’s completely hypocritical. And it sends a very bad signal to the British public.
"I mean, as you say, we’ve got a homelessness crisis. We’ve got young people struggling to afford rent. We’ve got people stuck on social housing lists and the Government hasn’t mobilised to solve those problems.
"But lo and behold, we have an illegal migration crisis, and instead of deporting people, the Government is mobilising to house them in private accommodation.
"It’s absolutely staggering. It’s completely hypocritical. And it shows just how upside down British society has become. The social contract is, basically, broken."
Dawn Neesom added: "I mean, really make it make sense.
"Angela Rayner’s office has said it’s ‘pure speculation’ to suggest powers would be used to repossess vacant properties for asylum accommodation.
"And the Home Office says it’s aiming to develop a more sustainable, long-term accommodation model. One that’s more locally led, reduces competition for affordable housing, and helps deliver new supply.
"Well, here’s something for you, why don’t you just stop the boats in the first place?"
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The Home Office unveiled its "Failure to Travel" guidance on Friday, targeting single adult male asylum seekers who decline transfers from hotels to alternative housing
The Home Office unveiled its "Failure to Travel" guidance on Friday, targeting single adult male asylum seekers who decline transfers from hotels to alternative housing.
The Government maintains it has a legal duty to accommodate destitute asylum seekers but insists the measures will address those who "game the system".
The asylum hotel population peaked at over 50,000 in 2023, though figures from March 2025 showed a reduction to 32,345 residents.
Recent demonstrations in Epping near facilities housing asylum seekers have intensified pressure on the Government to accelerate these changes.