Number of asylum hotels falls to 185 after 11 close

Asylum Hotel Numbers Drop to 185 After 11 Closures

The Home Office has announced the closure of eleven asylum hotels, reducing the total count to 185 from a peak of approximately 400. This decline follows a rise in the removal of individuals without the right to remain in the UK, with alternative accommodations such as military barracks now being utilized for housing. Home Office Minister Alex Norris stated that the decrease was partly due to increased deportations and the shift to different housing options.

Community Concerns and Policy Shift

Norris highlighted that asylum hotels had become a “significant source of community frustration,” while also serving as an incentive for illegal immigration. He argued that by reducing reliance on hotels, the government aims to curb the number of people attempting to enter the UK through the English Channel. “Traffickers claim ‘come to the UK, live in a hotel, work illegally,'” Norris noted. “We’re altering that dynamic by diminishing the pull factor.”

The Conservatives have criticized the move, claiming the government is “shunting people from hotels into residential apartments to conceal the situation.” Shadow home secretary Chris Philp added that this strategy might limit housing availability for young individuals struggling to secure homes. “The Conservative goal is to exit the ECHR to enable rapid deportation of illegal migrants within days of arrival,” he said, contrasting it with Labour’s approach.

Financial and Operational Context

Asylum seekers typically cannot work during their initial 12-month period while their claims are processed. When they lack private housing, the Home Office is obligated to provide accommodation. The use of hotels surged in 2020 amid processing delays and limited long-term housing. This has sparked disputes, with local councils launching legal challenges and communities protesting over the impact.

According to December data, 103,426 individuals were in asylum housing, of which 30,657 resided in hotels. Two-thirds of asylum seekers are now placed in “dispersal accommodation,” usually community homes. The government anticipates that the number in hotels will fall below the 29,585 level recorded when Labour assumed power. This follows a peak of over 56,000 asylum seekers in hotels during 2023 under the Conservatives.

Political Reactions and Future Plans

Labour has pledged to phase out hotel use by July 2029, aiming to save nearly £65 million annually. The party plans to announce further closures in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats argue that closing hotels merely shifts the issue, urging the adoption of Nightingale processing centers to eliminate the need for temporary housing. Reform UK’s Zia Yusuf criticized the government for “moving illegal migrants from one taxpayer-funded accommodation to another,” emphasizing that thousands have entered the UK this year, with more expected unless the party is in power.

Although the government pledged to cut small boat crossings after its July 2024 election, over 100,000 arrivals were recorded in 2025. Norris cited the use of large, basic accommodation sites as a key part of the plan to “move people out of hotels for good.” The Green Party has yet to respond to the policy changes. Sign up for the Politics Essential newsletter to stay updated on Westminster developments and broader policy shifts.