Home Office Puts the “Exit” Button on 150 Migrant Hotels by May
What happened? The Home Office announced that around five months into this year, roughly 150 migrant hotels will shut down. It follows a shocking revelation that the UK’s overseas assistance budget—£4.3 billion—has been largely funneled into keeping refugees in hotel rooms.
Why the sudden change?
The numbers have taken a nosedive: only 20,000 people are now housed in these facilities, compared with a staggering 56,000 asylum seekers at the close of September. That’s a big drop in just six months.
Back in 2023, thousands of asylum seekers were crammed into hotels, and the Home Office was splurging £8 million a day on those slots. Less than a year ago, the former Immigration Minister declared the government would “exit” about 50 hotels by early 2024.
Official statement
James Cleverly, the Home Secretary, told the media on Wednesday: “We promised to end the use of asylum hotels and house asylum seekers in cheaper, more suitable accommodation; we are doing that at a rapid pace.” He added, “These closures deliver on the Government’s plan to cut the use of hotels in the asylum system, and we will keep going until the last hotel is closed.”
The twist from the aid watchdog
The Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) weighed in, noting that although costs for Ukrainian and Afghan refugee programs fell, the UK’s share of spending actually rose—thanks in large part to the Home Office’s hotel bills.
Takeaway
- Hotels closing – 150 out of the original 200-plus lodging spots will shut by May.
- Budget blow‑up – £4.3 billion of overseas aid went into hotel stays.
- Fewer occupants – From 56,000 down to 20,000 over six months.
- Daily spend – £8 million a day on hotel accommodation (in 2023).
