UK Shuts 13 More Hotels Used for Asylum Seekers

The UK government has announced the closure of 13 additional hotels that were accommodating asylum seekers, marking a further step in its strategy to eliminate the use of hotels for this purpose. This latest move will allow hotels in various parts of England to resume normal commercial operations or be repurposed for local community use, benefiting businesses like restaurants and shops.

These closures are part of a broader government initiative to alleviate pressure on the asylum system, reduce taxpayer expenses, and expedite the processing and removal of individuals without legal residency. The government stated that these 13 closures are anticipated to save £51 million, bringing the total expected savings from asylum hotel closures this year to £224 million. Since the 2024 general election, asylum accommodation costs have reportedly decreased by nearly £1 billion.

The UK's extensive use of hotels for asylum seekers escalated due to a significant increase in asylum applications and a backlog of cases. At its peak in 2023, approximately 400 hotels were utilized, costing taxpayers an estimated £9 million daily. The government is now shifting towards larger, more basic accommodation facilities, including discussions for utilizing three former Ministry of Defence sites, MOD Bicester, MOD Barnham, and MOD Linton-on-Ouse, which could house around 3,750 asylum seekers.

Alongside the hotel closures, the government is implementing measures to accelerate asylum and immigration decisions. It reported making record numbers of asylum decisions since July 2024 and removing nearly 70,000 migrants. Plans are also in motion to introduce new immigration and asylum legislation.