Asylum Seeker Numbers in Hotels Rise by 2,500 Under Labour's First Year

Strategic Insights -

The number of asylum seekers in hotels has increased by nearly 2,500 during Labour's first year in office, according to official figures. This represents an equivalent rise of almost 50 asylum seekers per week. The surge in numbers comes as asylum applications by migrants hit a record high of over 111,000 from June 2024 to June 2025, with small-boat crossings playing a significant role in this increase. The situation is further complicated by a High Court ruling forcing the closure of a migrant hotel in Essex, leading to concerns about where else asylum seekers can be housed.

Key Takeaways:

  • The number of asylum seekers in hotels has risen by 2,500 during Labour's first year in office, equivalent to almost 50 per week.
  • Asylum applications by migrants hit a record high of over 111,000 from June 2024 to June 2025.
  • Small-boat crossings accounted for 39% of total asylum claims, with 43,600 people claiming asylum after crossing the English Channel in small boats.
  • The backlog of initial asylum claims fell by only 18% to 70,500 in the year to June 2025, while the number of migrants with outstanding asylum appeals nearly doubled to 51,000.
  • The top five nationalities for overall asylum claims were Pakistani, Afghan, Iranian, Eritrean, and Bangladeshi.
  • The number of migrants detected coming to the UK on small boats or "irregular" routes rose by 27% to 49,000 in the year to June 2025.
  • The most common nationalities among small-boat arrivals were Afghans, Eritreans, Iranians, and Syrians.
  • In the past six months, Eritreans have come to dominate the Channel route, making up the largest nationality at 3,543.
  • The Home Office spending on asylum in the UK stood at £4.76bn in 2024-25, down 12% from a record £5.38bn in 2023-24.
  • £2.1 billion was spent on hotels in 2024-25, at an average of £5.77m per hotel.

Statistics:

  • 32,059 asylum seekers in over 200 hotels by the end of June, an increase of 8% from 29,585 at the same point a year earlier.
  • 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, a record high and 14% increase from 97,107 in the previous year.
  • 43,600 people claimed asylum after crossing the English Channel in small boats, accounting for 39% of total asylum claims.
  • 51,000 migrants with outstanding asylum appeals, a near doubling from 27,000 a year earlier.
  • 49,000 migrants detected coming to the UK on small boats or "irregular" routes in the year to June 2025, a 27% increase.
  • 3,543 Eritreans arrived in the UK on small boats in the past six months, making up the largest nationality.
  • £4.76bn spent by the Home Office on asylum in the UK in 2024-25, a 12% decrease from £5.38bn in 2023-24.
  • £2.1 billion spent on hotels in 2024-25, at an average of £5.77m per hotel.

Sources:

  • Home Ofce, Immigration statistics, quarterly
  • Home Ofce, Asylum data
  • Home Ofce, Spending on asylum in the UK
  • Labour Party, Shadow home secretary Chris Philp's statement
  • Home Secretary Yvette Cooper's statement