'Asylum is put before women's security'

THE “comfort of migrants” is more important than women’s safety, says a campaigner.

- By Lotti O'Brien

During Labour’s first year in office the number of asylum seekers housed in hotels rose 8% to 32,059, while those claiming refugee status jumped by 14% to a record 111,084.

Jess Gill, director of the Women’s Safety Institute (WSI) expressed frustration.

The 22-year-old politics student said the cash used to house and keep migrants could be used “on domestic violence support, to help our own women. Their comfort is being prioritised over the safety of women”.