"According to the statistics, there were 30,657 people staying in hotel accommodation while awaiting a decision on their asylum claim at the end of December. The issue of people being housed in hotels rose to prominence last year with protests outside some sites. The number of asylum seekers in hotels peaked at 56,018 at the end of September 2023 under the then Conservative government, but dropped to a record low of 29,561 at the end of June 2024 just before the general election."
"Genuine refugees are receiving the protection they need, while those with false claims are being identified and returned to their home country. As a result, we are reducing the numbers in taxpayer-funded asylum accommodation, with 45% less hotel use than at the peak under the last government."
"Overall, the figures show that 100,625 people applied for asylum in 2025, down 4% on 2024. The number of people arriving in the UK on small boats increased by 13% year-on-year to 45,774. Small boat arrivals made up 41% of the total number of people claiming asylum last year, with Eritrean being the most common nationality."
Home Office statistics released in December show asylum seekers housed in hotels reached their lowest level in 18 months at 30,657 people. This represents a 15% decrease from September and a 45% reduction from the September 2023 peak of 56,018 under the previous government. Overall asylum applications fell 4% to 100,625 in 2025, though small boat arrivals increased 13% year-on-year to 45,774, comprising 41% of total asylum claims. The government credits its tightened asylum system for reducing hotel accommodation costs, while refugee charities express concern that stricter policies may reject genuine refugees fleeing war and oppression. The asylum grant rate stood at 42% in the year to December 2025.
Read at www.theguardian.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]