Bangladesh, Aug. 24 -- The United Kingdoms asylum system is once again at the center of public and political turmoil as the Labour government pledges urgent reforms to address growing tensions over the housing of asylum seekers in hotels. The announcement follows a weekend of nationwide protests and counter-protests, many of them heated, outside hotels being used as temporary accommodation for migrants.

The unrest reflects a volatile intersection of public anger, court rulings, and administrative backlogs, leaving both the government and asylum seekers in a state of uncertainty. With 32,345 asylum seekers currently living in hotels across the UK, the Labour administration has promised an overhaul of what it describes as a “chaotic ...