Number of asylum hotels falls to 185 after 11 close
Asylum Hotel Count Drops to 185 Following Closure of 11 Facilities
The Home Office has announced the closure of 11 asylum hotels, reducing the total count to 185 from a high of approximately 400. This shift is attributed to increased removals of individuals without legal residency and the use of alternative housing sites like military barracks. Home Office Minister Alex Norris stated the move aims to address community concerns and counteract the trend of encouraging illegal entries into the UK.
Conservative Criticism of the Closure
Opposition figures have questioned the decision, with Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp claiming the government is “shunting people from hotels into residential apartments to hide what is going on.” He argued that apartments are less accessible for young people facing housing challenges. Norris emphasized that the change reduces the “pull factor” for migrants, as traffickers previously lured them with promises of hotel stays and work opportunities.
Background on Asylum Hotel Usage
Asylum seekers are typically not permitted to work during their initial 12 months of processing. When they cannot afford independent housing, the Home Office must provide accommodation. The surge in hotel use began in 2020 due to delays in processing claims and a shortage of long-term housing. This expansion sparked protests and legal disputes, with councils highlighting costs and logistical issues.
Financial Implications and Current Figures
According to recent data, £2.1bn was spent on hotel accommodations in 2024-2025, down from £3bn the prior year. The total number of people in asylum accommodations reached 103,426, with 30,657 housed in hotels. Most asylum seekers—around two-thirds—are now placed in community-based “dispersal accommodation.” The next official report is expected in May, but Norris anticipates hotel occupancy will drop below 29,585, the level under Labour’s previous administration.
Labour’s Commitment to Ending Hotel Use
The Labour government has pledged to phase out asylum hotels by July 2029, aiming to cut annual costs by nearly £65m. It plans further closures in the coming weeks, citing the need to streamline the system. Norris noted that the closure of these 11 hotels should help curb the number of people arriving via the English Channel, as traffickers had previously relied on hotels to entice migrants.
Political Reactions to the Closure
“Closing asylum hotels is right for both communities and asylum seekers themselves, but it doesn’t fix the problem; it just moves it elsewhere,” said Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Max Wilkinson. He suggested using Nightingale processing centres to tackle the backlog. Reform UK’s Zia Yusuf criticized the move, stating, “It is absolutely shocking that the government is boasting about moving illegal migrants from one form of taxpayer-funded accommodation to another.”
The government has also moved up to 350 illegal migrants to the Crowborough military barracks in East Sussex. While some local leaders supported the action, others expressed dissatisfaction, with councillor Rachel Millward noting that the Home Office had not adequately consulted communities or explained the plans. The Green Party has been contacted for its perspective, and readers are invited to subscribe to the Politics Essential newsletter for updates on Westminster developments.