Number of asylum hotels falls to 185 after 11 close
Number of Asylum Hotels Drops to 185 After 11 Closure
Eleven asylum hotels have been decommissioned, reducing the total count to 185 from a high of approximately 400. Home Office Minister Alex Norris attributed the decline to enhanced removals of individuals without a right to remain in the UK and the use of alternative accommodations like military barracks. He highlighted that the reliance on hotels had caused tension in local communities and acted as a lure for migrants seeking to enter the country illegally.
Government’s Strategy and Criticism
Norris claimed the shift from hotels to other sites would ease pressure on communities and curb the incentive for illegal crossings. However, the Conservatives faced backlash, with critics accusing the government of relocating asylum seekers to residential apartments to obscure the situation. “Those apartments are now off-limits to young people struggling to afford housing,” remarked Chris Philp, the Conservative shadow home secretary.
Background on Asylum Accommodation
Asylum seekers typically cannot work during the first 12 months of their claim process. If they lack independent housing, the Home Office must provide temporary lodging. The surge in hotel use began in 2020, fueled by processing delays and a shortage of long-term housing options. This led to disputes, including local demonstrations and legal disputes from councils, alongside concerns over rising costs.
According to December data, 103,426 individuals were in asylum accommodations, with 30,657 residing in hotels. Two-thirds of all asylum seekers are placed in “dispersal accommodation,” which usually involves community-based housing. The next official report is scheduled for May, but Norris anticipates the number in hotels will drop below 29,585, the level recorded when Labour assumed power.
Political Reactions and Future Plans
“We know traffickers claim ‘come to the UK, live in a hotel, work illegally,’” Norris stated. “We’re changing that reality by reducing the pull factor.”
Under the Conservatives, the peak number of asylum seekers in hotels exceeded 56,000 in 2023. After Labour took office, numbers increased briefly but have since decreased. Labour pledged to eliminate hotel use by July 2029, estimating annual savings of nearly £65 million. Additional closures are expected soon.
Controversy Over Alternatives
While the government highlights cost savings, some argue the closures merely transfer the issue. Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Max Wilkinson noted, “Closing asylum hotels is beneficial, but it doesn’t resolve the root problem—it just moves it elsewhere.” Reform UK criticized the strategy as “shocking,” accusing the government of shifting migrants between taxpayer-funded options without addressing the influx. The Green Party has yet to respond.
As part of its plan, the government aims to replace hotels with large, basic accommodations. A notable example is the Crowborough military barracks in East Sussex, which now houses up to 350 illegal migrants. Despite these efforts, 100,625 people arrived in the UK by sea in 2025, defying the government’s pledge to reduce small boat crossings. Councilor Rachel Millward, among others, questioned the lack of community consultation in the plans.
