Number of asylum hotels falls to 185 after 11 close
Asylum Hotel Numbers Drop to 185 After 11 Closures
The Home Office has closed 11 hotels used to accommodate asylum seekers, bringing the total number down to 185 from a previous high of approximately 400. Minister Alex Norris attributed the decline to a combination of higher removal rates for individuals without legal residency and the use of alternative housing arrangements, such as military barracks. He argued that asylum hotels had created tensions in local communities and served as a lure for those seeking to enter the UK unlawfully.
Political Reactions to the Shift
Conservative critics accused the government of transferring asylum seekers from hotels to residential apartments to obscure ongoing challenges. Councillor Rachel Millward highlighted concerns over insufficient community consultation, stating the Home Office had not adequately explained the changes. Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp added that the policy aimed to “hide what is going on” by moving people into private housing, potentially limiting availability for young individuals struggling to afford homes.
“We know the traffickers say ‘come to the UK, live in a hotel, work illegally,’ ” Norris stated. “We’re changing that reality, we’re trying to reduce that pull factor.”
Asylum seekers typically cannot work during their initial year of residence while awaiting processing. When they lack private housing, the Home Office is legally obligated to provide accommodation. The reliance on hotels surged in 2020 due to processing delays and a shortage of long-term housing options, sparking local protests and legal disputes. The financial burden has been significant, with £2.1bn spent on hotels in 2024-2025 compared to £3bn the prior year.
Historical Context and Future Goals
Asylum hotel occupancy reached over 56,000 in 2023 under the previous Conservative administration. Numbers dipped after the Labour government took office but have since rebounded. Labour has pledged to phase out hotel use by July 2029, claiming the move would save nearly £65m annually. Further closures are set to be announced soon.
Despite the closures, the government maintains its focus on reducing small boat arrivals. However, 100,625 individuals reached the UK by sea in 2025, indicating the policy has not yet stemmed the flow. Officials plan to expand “large, basic accommodation sites” to permanently relocate asylum seekers from hotels. Up to 350 illegal migrants have already been transferred to the Crowborough military barracks in East Sussex.
Broader Debate on Asylum Policies
Political factions have voiced varied perspectives. The Liberal Democrats suggested that while closing hotels is beneficial, it merely relocates the issue, advocating for streamlined processing via Nightingale centres. Reform UK criticized the transition as a “shocking” move, accusing the government of shifting costs between taxpayer-funded options. They argued that without stricter measures, more migrants would arrive, emphasizing their plan to detain and deport all unauthorized arrivals.
The Green Party has been invited to comment on the policy changes. This development underscores the ongoing discourse about balancing asylum support with community impact and financial efficiency. Further updates on accommodation levels are expected in May.
