A CARLISLE MP has questioned the location of a potential new asylum seekers' hotel, and called on the government to 'get on top of' the current immigration situation.

Writing in his News & Star column, MP John Stevenson described the location of a new hotel for asylum seekers planned for the city as 'inappropriate'.

On Monday, November 7 Cumbria Park Hotel announced in a statement that they would cease trading as a hotel for the general public from Friday, November 11 and instead begin hosting families seeking refuge.

Mr Stevenson wrote: "The use of the Hilltop Hotel, because of its particular location and set-up, is one thing – but the use of a hotel in a fully residential area of the city, close to schools and other important local amenities is another.

"I have had discussions with the Home Office seeking clarity and reassurances on these issues and I have made representations to Ministers about local concerns.

"Whilst I still think the location is inappropriate, the fact that I have been informed that the occupants will be single females only gives some reassurance.

"Nevertheless, it is extremely important to consider the host community, or other problems will emerge."

"It is vital that the Government gets on top of the situation. They need to in order to ensure that those who come here legally are welcomed and accommodated as they should be.

In a statement, Liberal Democrat Brian Wernham, councillor on the new Cumberland authority, called on people to 'make this work'.

He said: ”I've just spoken to the staff at the hotel face-to-face in person and it looks like the refugees are overwhelmingly going to be women and children. 

"So: let's make this work smoothly."

'The use of hotels is a short-term solution'

A Home Office spokesperson said that no asylum seekers have been moved to Cumbria Park Hotel from Hilltop Hotel and added: “The number of people arriving in the UK who require accommodation has reached record levels and has put our asylum system under incredible strain.

“The use of hotels to house asylum seekers is unacceptable – there are currently more than 37,000 asylum seekers in hotels costing the UK taxpayer £5.6million a day.

"The use of hotels is a short-term solution and we are working hard with local authorities to find appropriate accommodation.”