Major clashes rock cities across the UK

Major clashes have broken out across the UK with anti-migrant protesters descending on several cities, sparking tense standoffs with police and counter-demonstrators.

In Bristol, pictures showed officers clashing with protesters as mounted police were brought in to push back crowds attempting to storm a hotel. In Horley, Surrey, tensions flared as anti-migrant protesters shouted "you should be ashamed" at members of Stand Up To Racism, squaring up to officers in heated exchanges.

Elsewhere, in Newcastle, rival groups gathered outside the New Bridge Hotel, while in Perth, Scotland, campaigners from Stand Up To Racism declared a "victory" after anti-migrant protesters eventually dispersed.

Stand Up To Racism declare victory in Perth

"Victory in Perth as the last of a demoralised group of racists & far right activists - who had wanted to harass refugees - are moved away," Stand Up to Racism said on X.

"Perth Against Racism, the local community, trade unionists and faith organisations united today to say #NaePasaran."

Huge clash in Surrey as Stand Up To Racism are told 'you should be ashamed'

A mob of around 200 anti-migrant protesters and roughly 50 Stand Up To Racism campaigners have been shouting insults at each other in Horely, Surrey.

Anti-racism groups chanted "say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here" while the other side replied: "You're all scum and you should be ashamed."

Chaos erupts in Bristol as mobs attempt to storm hotel

Mounted police officers have entered into a scuffle with demonstrators during a protest by Abolish Asylum System and counter protesters at Castle Park in Bristol. Roughly 80 anti-immigration protesters are being pushed back in their attempts to storm a converted hotel by around 400 counter protesters. The groups are being separated by a large wall of police officers.

Minister says Labour will meet commitment to end asylum hotels

Security Minsiter Dan Jarvis said Labour will fulfill its 2024 manifesto promise to "end asylum hotels".

He said: "We’ve made a very clear commitment that we’re going to close all of the asylum hotels.

"That was a manifesto commitment that we stood on and we will honour.

"We’re clearing up the legacy that we inherited from the previous government but the closures of these hotels need to be done in an ordered and managed way."

Police given additional powers ahead of march

Cops have been granted extra powers ahead of a UKIP march in Liverpool's city centre today.

A section 34 dispersal order and a section 60 order have been introduced for police to disrupt suspected criminality and disorder. This order became active at 10am today and will remain in place until 9.59am on Monday

The additinonal powers also include a section 60AA authorisation which means people can be arrested if they do not remove face coverings, if asked by an officer, and any coverings can be seized by cops, according to the Liverpool Echo.

A counter protest has been organised by Stand Up to Racism in Liverpool.

Watch: Hundreds gather for stand-off in Bristol

A stand-off between ‘Stop The Boats’ protestors and counter protesters. Mounted police between the two groups on Newgate, Bristol next to Castle Park. pic.twitter.com/DSR59ialAV

— Anthony Ward (@Anth0ny_Ward) August 23, 2025

Large crowd gathers in Liverpool

Anti-immigration protesters have gathered in Liverpool's city centre where they've been met with a large crowd of counter-protesters. Dozens of police officers have lined the streets in a bid to keep the two groups apart.

Showdown expected in Cardiff today

Anti-migrant protesters and counter-protesters are set to campaign outside a Holiday Inn near Cardiff Airport this afternoon.

A Stand Up To Racism poster ahead of the event said: "When Nigel Farage celebrates the targeting of asylum seekers and calls for copycats, it's a green light to the far right. We won't let hate go unchallenged - join us in Rhoose to show solidarity with Afghan refugees and stop the racists in their tracks."

'Sad looking anti-migrant' group surrounded by Bristol anti-fascist activists

Anti-facist campaigners in Bristol have turned up in their hundreds to face off against anti-migrant mobs.

The Bristol Anarchist Federation said on X that protesters have been outnumbered by the far right this afternoon.

So far a dozen sad looking anti-migrant protesters surrounded by a bubble of cops, surrounded in turn by hundreds of antifascist refugee-Solidarity protesters.

Join us to laugh at the fascists - and in case more to them show up!#bristol #hotel #protests pic.twitter.com/XPxqKBxXKx

— Bristol Anarchist Federation (@BristolAFed) August 23, 2025

Perth face off in pictures

Stand Up to Racism Sctoland say more than 200 counter-protesters have outnumbered anti-migrant mobs in Perth, Scotland, this afternoon. Crowds have gathered with signs reading 'empty the hotels' - while anti-racist campaigners have said refugees are welcome.

How much is the government spending on asylum seekers?

The Home Office has debunked claims that the government was spending as much as £500 a night to house each asylum seeker at the Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf.

It told The Independent that it spends £81 a night for each person staying at the hotel, which has been at the centre of protests in recent weeks.

Anti-migrant protesters 'outnumbered' in Perth

Stand Up to Racism Scotland say they've outnumbered anti-migrant protesters in Perth this morning.

"Currently outnumbering racist protesters who've targeted a hotel in Perth today. We say #RefugeesAreWelcomeHere #StandUpToRacism," the group wrote on X. A video was shared alongside the post showing campaigners chanting "Refugees are welcome here."

Currently outnumbering racist protesters who've targeted a hotel in Perth today. We say #RefugeesAreWelcomeHere#StandUpToRacism pic.twitter.com/uBpn0G1lX9

— Stand Up to Racism - Scotland (@SUTRScotland) August 23, 2025

Closure of Asylum hotels must not be done through 'piecemeal court decisions'

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper says the closure of asylum hotels must be done "in a properly managed way" and not through "piecemeal court decisions."

She said in a statement: "We agree with communities across the country that all asylum hotels need to close, including the Bell Hotel, and we are working to do so as swiftly as possible as part of an orderly, planned and sustained programme that avoids simply creating problems for other areas or local councils as a result of piecemeal court decisions or a return to the kind of chaos which led to so many hotels being opened in the first place.

"That is the reason for the Home Office appeal in this case, to ensure that going forward, the closure of all hotels can be done in a properly managed way right across the country without creating problems for other areas and local councils."

Over 200 counter-protesters gather in Perth

Over 200 people are gathered in Perth today to say #RefugeesWelcome #NoRacismNoFascism
With the numbers growing - anti-racists, trade unionists and community & faith organisations showing unity against the far right pic.twitter.com/FiOUboD6vO

— Stand Up to Racism - Scotland (@SUTRScotland) August 23, 2025

Number of UK asylum seekers is 'highest level on record'

According to new Home Office figures released yesterday, a total of 111,084 people claimed asylum in the UK in the year ending June 2025.

This is 14% more than in the year ending June 2024, and 8% more than the previous peak of 103,081 in 2002. Half of asylum seekers in the latest year arrived in the UK through irregular routes, typically on small boats, the Home Office added.

Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?

Asylum seekers and their families may be placed in temporary housing, known as contingency accommodation, while their claims are being assessed - or if their claims have been approved but no suitable longer-term housing is available.

The Home Office provides this accommodation on a "no choice" basis, meaning people cannot choose where they live. When regular housing is limited, asylum seekers can be moved into facilities like hotels and large sites, like former military bases.

Scenes from Friday's protest in Leeds

What a flag, what a video

Leeds migrant hotel protest. pic.twitter.com/GwpTY0ujat

— BRITAIN IS BROKEN (@BROKENBRITAIN0) August 22, 2025

Asylum figures 'going disastrously' in wrong direction, Tory shadow minister says

Katie Lam, the shadow Home Office minister, said things are going 'disastrously' when asked about the 8% rise in the number of asylum seekers housed in hotels.

"All of the key numbers when it comes to controlling the border, managing illegal migration are unfortunately going in completely the wrong direction," Lam told Sky News. "It looks like this will be a record year for boat crossings.

"There were 49,000 people who came here illegally in Labour's first year in power. That's up over a quarter on the year before. Things are going pretty disastrously."

Timings for counter-protests released

Stand Up to Racism have released the timing and locations for counter-protests due to be held againt anti-migrant groups today.

They are:

• 11am, Perth - Radisson Hotel
• 12pm, Bristol - Castle Park
• 12pm, Exeter - Hampton by Hilton
• 12pm, Tamworth - Holiday Inn Express
• 12:30pm, Cannock - Bandstand
• 1pm, Liverpool - St George’s Hall
• 1pm, Mold - Mold Bus Station
• 1pm, Newcastle - New Bridge Hotel
• 1pm, Nuneaton - Town Hall
• 2pm, Wakefield - Cedar Court Hotel
• 3pm, London - Britannia Canary Wharf
• 6pm, Westhill (Aberdeen) - Hampton by Hilton

Full list of areas protests are expected this weekend

More than 30 protests have been planned across the UK to oppose the housing of asylum seekers in hotels, with a number of counter-protests also expected. Anti-migrant groups are expected to be at 26 hotels in various parts of the country, including:

• Aberdeen
• Bristol
• Canary Wharf
• Cannock
• Exeter
• Horley
• Liverpool
• Mold (Wales)
• Newcastle
• Nuneaton
• Perth (Scotland)
• Tamworth
• Wakefield

Counter protests are due to take place in:

• Bristol
• Cannock
• Horley
• Leicester
• Liverpool
• Long Eaton
• Newcastle
• Wakefield

'Get them out' chanted at protests in London

A wave of anti-migrant protests were held across the UK on Friday, including one outside an asylum hotel in south east London.

Groups were heard chanting "Get them out" and "Save our children" outside the TLK hotel in Orpington, where others stood waving the Union and England flags.

'We need Reform,' say protesters in Wales

Protestors in Rhoose, Wales, were seen standing behind a massive 'We need Reform' banner outside a Holiday Inn hotel on Saturday.

The move comes as part of the so-called 'Great British National Protest', voicing opposition to government policies on illegal immigration. The Labour Party still retains the largest membership of any political party in the UK, but there has been rising support for Reform UK in recent years.

According to its website, the party currently has 234,801 members.

Ongoing unrest is 'taking its toll' on police

The Police Federation has repeatedly warned that ongoing unrest is putting forces and officers under strain.

"Public order duties often mean long shifts, cancelled leave, missed family time and real risk," a spokesperson added. "That takes its toll. This isn’t just about numbers - it's about resilience, wellbeing, and a system under strain."

'This city don't want us, but I don't have any other option'

A 26-year-old man who fled Afghanistan after his family were targeted by the Taliban says he fears what might happen to him here in the UK. The man has been living in a hotel in Yorkshire for almost two years.

"I feel like nobody likes me, the people of this city don't want us, but I don’t have any other option," he said.

Counterprotesters take over Guildhall Square in Portsmouth

Counterprotesters faced off with anti-migrant groups yesterday in Guildhall Square, Portsmouth. Many were seen waving signs that read "refugees welcome" and "migrants make our NHS."

"I believe in dignity, equality and giving people a fair chance. We have all come from somewhere originally, I am from Northern Ireland and we all came from Africa originally," Mary, from Portsmouth, told MailOnline.

"I am really upset at the violent way in which these other people are intimidating people who have fled intimidation all of their lives and are facing it here again, it's completely wrong."

At least 33 protests to be held this weekend

More protests and counter-protests outside hotels housing asylum seekers are expected across major towns and cities today.

There have been at least 33 planned demonstrations over the bank holiday weekend, organised under the Abolish Asylum System slogan. It comes as Reform UK leader Nigel Farage promised "mass deportations" of illegal immigrants if his party were to win the next general election.

Counter-protests, organised by Stand Up To Racism, are also set to be held.

Immigration protesters face off against anti-racism demonstrators

Immigration protesters waving Union flags have faced off with anti-racism demonstrators in Portsmouth city centre.

Police watched as people on each side gathered on the steps outside the council offices in the Hampshire city.

One protester tied a large flag of St George to the balcony which had on it the words "Born in England, Live in England, Die in England".

The counter protesters also put up a banner, saying "Refugees Welcome, Celebrate Diversity".

Protester Mat Silva, 66, a retired car sprayer from Fareham, said: "I am fed up seeing those who come into our country illegally being housed better than our veterans and our OAPs.

"They get free accommodation, gas, electricity, four meals a day, while our veterans are on the street."

He added: "Look how many millions it's costing each day - if they are genuine asylum seekers or refugees coming in the right way with passports, then fair enough, it's nothing to do with racism, it's about people entering illegally."

Demonstrators wave British flags at protest

British flags have been flown at demonstrations in Leeds and Chichester as they protest against hotels being used to house migrants.

Counter protesters were seen at both demonstrations. The demonstrations appear peaceful although police remain in place.

There's a sea of red white and blue at the leeds migrant hotel protest.

What a beautiful sight pic.twitter.com/22ML2CEstr

— BRITAIN IS BROKEN (@BROKENBRITAIN0) August 22, 2025

Police prepare for protests amid Notting Hill Carnival weekend

Police are preparing for some 26 protests at hotels across the country as London gears up for the Notting Hill Carnival.