UK asylum claims drop slightly in 2025 as small boat arrivals rise by 13%

"Some 100,625 people claimed asylum in the year to December and about 40% of these arrived by small boats, the figures show. But while the number of small boat arrivals increased to 41,262, the figure still remains lower than the peak of 45,774 in 2022. Small boats made up the majority (89%) of those who came to the UK via illegal routes."

"Meanwhile, the number of asylum seekers housed in hotels has fallen by 19% to 30,657, as more people are moved into longer-term accommodation. In the past year, more than 72,000 asylum seekers were housed in longer-term accommodation, which includes houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), as opposed to hotels."

"According to the figures, the most common nationalities of asylum seekers arriving by small boat were Eritrea (19%), Afghanistan (12%), Iran (11%), Sudan (11%), and Somalia (9%). The figures show there have been falls in claims from people arriving via all other routes."

UK asylum claims decreased by 4% in 2025 to 100,625 people, though small boat arrivals increased by 13% to 41,262. Small boats accounted for 40% of all asylum claims and 89% of illegal route arrivals. The number of asylum seekers in hotels dropped 19% to 30,657 as over 72,000 were moved into longer-term accommodation including HMOs. The government aims to close all asylum hotels by 2029, transitioning to larger sites like military facilities. Top nationalities of small boat arrivals were Eritrea (19%), Afghanistan (12%), Iran (11%), Sudan (11%), and Somalia (9%). Claims via other routes fell, including visa-based asylum claims, which declined after rising since 2021, primarily due to fewer students claiming asylum.

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