BOURNEMOUTH MP Conor Burns said the asylum seekers having their lives put on hold by the slow processing of applications was “unacceptable, wrong and immoral”.

Earlier this year Conservative backbench MP Mr Burns spoke out about his concerns related to asylum seekers being accommodated in hotels.

The government has announced new plans to use disused military bases, while ministers are “continuing to explore the possibility” of using ferries and barges.

These options have been put forward to reduce the “eye watering” reliance on hotels.

Addressing the House of Commons on Wednesday, immigration minister Robert Jenrick said more than 11,000 asylum cases in the backlog had been processed in the last three months as a result of the new processes.

Bournemouth West MP Mr Burns said he welcomed the government’s “determination” to accelerate the processing of asylum claims.

He said the minister would agree that it is “unacceptable, wrong and immoral that people have their lives put on hold, unable to make a new future for themselves or to be returned to their countries of origin”.

Speaking in parliament, Mr Burns said: “We have a number of hotels in my Bournemouth West constituency full of such people, who are constantly in touch with my hard-working casework team and want their cases resolved.

“So too do those involved in the hospitality and leisure sector in Bournemouth, on which our economy depends, and local residents who want to see those hotels brought back into the purpose of serving that thriving sector.”

He asked the minister he could provide assurance the proposals announced will “bring into sight the day” when the hotels are returned to their original purpose.

Mr Jenrick replied: “We want to make sure that the interest of his constituency and his constituents are put above those of illegal immigrants coming into our country.

“This is the necessary first step to build national capacity in these new forms of accommodation, so that we can begin to close the hotels and move forwards.”