UK Asylum Hotel Use Drops 50 Percent to Record Low

The number of asylum seekers housed in hotels across the United Kingdom fell to 16,021 by the end of June 2026, marking a 50 percent decrease from 32,041 the previous year. This figure represents the lowest level since data reporting began in 2022.

Shabana Mahmood, the Home Secretary, stated that these figures demonstrate the Labour Government is "restoring control at our border and fairness to the migration system." Home Office data shows that asylum applications for the year ending June 2026 dropped 21 percent to 85,891, while the asylum backlog fell 56 percent to 40,168 people. Total government spending on asylum decreased 8 percent to 4.36 billion pounds in 2025/26.

The government has pledged to end the use of hotels for asylum seekers by 2029, transitioning individuals to alternative accommodations such as former military barracks. Recent operational steps include the closure of 13 additional hotels and increased enforcement on French beaches to reduce small boat arrivals.