00:00Politicians in Cardiff have rejected a conservative-led motion that has sought to stop hotels and
00:07other accommodation being used to house asylum seekers in the city.
00:11The debate held at County Hall saw strong words from across the political spectrum.
00:15The Conservatives argued Cardiff should take all steps to make clear it would no longer
00:19host asylum seekers who entered the UK illegally, and called for planning enforcement and possible
00:24injunctions against hotels being used in this way.
00:28Liberal councillors from Labour and the Liberal Democrats branded the proposal shameful
00:32and a disgraceful attack on some of the most vulnerable in society.
00:35They argued the focus should be on tackling the UK asylum backlog and ensuring safe, legal
00:40routes for those fleeing conflict and persecution.
00:43Liberal Democrat leader Rodney Berman spoke of his own family's Jewish heritage and their
00:47flight to the UK from persecution in the early 20th century, calling Cardiff's tradition
00:52of providing refuge something to be proud of.
00:55Liberal councillor Peter Wong said the motion leaned into the politics of fear and division,
01:00while Liberal Democrat colleague Imran al-Ateef pointed out asylum seekers make up only a tiny
01:05fraction of Cardiff's population.
01:07Home Office figures show that as of June this year, 91 asylum seekers in Cardiff were being
01:13housed in hotels out of roughly 2,000 asylum seekers in total across the city.
01:18Most were in longer-term or resettlement accommodation.
01:20The UK government says it's reduced the money spent on hotels used nationally by almost
01:25a billion pounds over the last year, and has doubled the rate of asylum decision making.
01:30But with Cardiff hosting the largest number of asylum seekers in Wales, councillors agreed
01:34that any solution must balance the city's housing challenges with its long-term standing role
01:39as a place of sanctuary.
01:40Jane Feege Watkins reporting for Local TV.
01:42Jane Feege Watkins reporting for Local TV.
01:43Jane Feege Watkins reporting for Local TV.
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