UK vows to speed up asylum claims

THE UK government vowed yesterday to overhaul its asylum system after weekend protests broke out across the country at hotels housing migrants, with more planned.

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The government said that it will establish a new independent body to hear appeals by failed applicants more quickly as it attempts to end the costly use of so-called asylum hotels, which have become the subject of discontent among a portion of the public.

The Labour government said last week it would appeal a court ruling blocking it from housing asylum seekers in a flashpoint hotel in southeast England.

The ruling triggered a wave of protests and counter-protests outside hotels accommodating asylum seekers around the country.