Hundreds of university students kicked out of rooms to make way for asylum seekers

HUNDREDS of university students have been turfed out of rooms to make way for asylum seekers.

They are now scrambling to find alternative digs weeks before lectures start.

The news comes after 300 people crossed the Channel in small boats on Tuesday — taking the total for the year so far to more than 20,000.

To help accommodate arrivals, the Home Office bought the plush HD1 block in Huddersfield, West Yorks, which includes a gym, games room and cinema room.

At least 168 students who had signed agreements for the university year ahead have had to be refunded.

And it leaves them little time to find somewhere else to live for when term starts next month.

Lettings company Prestige Student Living said landlord Hudd Student Management had told them HD1 would not be opening to students.

A PSL spokesman said it was “beyond our control” and added: “Our team took immediate action to inform students and help them secure alternative accommodation and return all payments made to us.”

But Shadow Immigration Minister Stephen Kinnock said: “Students are paying the price for the Government’s reliance on emergency accommodation.”

A Home Office spokesman said the asylum system is under “unprecedented pressure brought about by a significant increase in dangerous and illegal journeys into the country”.