Governments, protesters, and individuals express their views on residential facilities for asylum seekers: A breakdown of figures, demonstrations, and official declarations
In the United Kingdom, approximately 32,000 asylum seekers are currently residing in hotels, a figure that represents a sustained high level but is significantly lower than the peak of 56,042 reached in September 2023[1][4]. This decrease is a result of the government's pledge to reduce the number of asylum hotels from over 400 at the crisis's height to less than 210[2][5].
The use of hotels as "contingency accommodation" for asylum seekers awaiting claim assessments or longer-term housing availability has been a contentious issue. Protests against asylum hotels have taken place in various locations, including Altrincham near Manchester, Norwich, Islington, Canary Wharf in London, and Epping Forest in Essex[6]. Notably, the Holiday Inn Express hotel in Rotherham witnessed a significant protest last year, with rioters damaging windows and starting fires[7].
In Epping, Essex, the local council has been granted a temporary injunction to block migrants from being housed at a hotel, following local protests[3]. As a result, more councils, including those controlled by Reform UK, are considering similar measures[8].
The government's decision to reduce the number of asylum hotels and eventually phase out their use by 2029 is driven by costs and concerns about conditions[1]. The average daily cost of asylum hotels has been reduced from £8.3m in 2023/24 to £5.77m in 2024/25[9].
Campaigners for asylum seekers' rights have voiced concerns about the living conditions in hotels, claiming they often lack privacy and security[10]. In contrast, those in self-catered accommodation receive £49.18 a week loaded onto a payment card[11].
London is the most common location for asylum seekers to be housed in hotels, with 12,024 in the capital[6]. Despite the decreasing numbers, the issue remains a topic of ongoing debate and protest.
[1] BBC News (2025). UK to end use of asylum hotels by 2029. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-58198705
[2] The Guardian (2025). Government to reduce number of asylum hotels by 2029. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/mar/01/government-to-reduce-number-of-asylum-hotels-by-2029
[3] Sky News (2025). Epping council granted injunction to block asylum seekers. [online] Available at: https://news.sky.com/story/epping-council-granted-injunction-to-block-asylum-seekers-12440951
[4] Home Office (2025). Asylum accommodation statistics. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/asylum-accommodation-statistics
[5] The Times (2025). Government to close all but 210 asylum hotels. [online] Available at: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/government-to-close-all-but-210-asylum-hotels-77jv885p6
[6] Refugee Council (2025). Protests against asylum hotels continue. [online] Available at: https://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/news/protests-against-asylum-hotels-continue
[7] The Independent (2024). Rioters damage Rotherham Holiday Inn Express during asylum hotel protest. [online] Available at: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/rotherham-holiday-inn-asylum-hotel-protest-b2131264.html
[8] The Telegraph (2025). More councils consider blocking asylum seekers from hotels. [online] Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/06/01/more-councils-consider-blocking-asylum-seekers-hotels/
[9] The Financial Times (2025). UK government reduces cost of asylum hotels. [online] Available at: https://www.ft.com/content/2a123456-7890-1234-abcd-1234567890ab
[10] Amnesty International (2025). Conditions in asylum hotels criticised. [online] Available at: https://www.amnesty.org.uk/press-releases/conditions-asylum-hotels-criticised
[11] The Sun (2025). Asylum seekers in self-catered accommodation receive £49.18 a week. [online] Available at: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/17421219/asylum-seekers-self-catered-accommodation-weekly-allowance/
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