The number of asylum seekers being accommodated in hotels across the United Kingdom has seen a significant increase, rising by 13% over a three-month period, according to newly released government statistics.
Sharp Rise in Hotel Accommodation
Official data from the Home Office shows that the figure climbed from 32,041 in June to 36,273 by September 2025. This total also represents a slight increase compared to the same time last year, when there were 35,628 people in such temporary accommodation.
The issue of using hotels to house asylum seekers has been a contentious one, with protests taking place outside several establishments, including one at a hotel in Essex this summer.
Political Pledges and Government Action
In response to the growing numbers and public concern, the Government announced last month that it would begin using two barracks, located in Scotland and southern England, to house approximately 900 male asylum seekers. This move is part of ongoing efforts to find alternatives to hotel use.
Meanwhile, the Labour party has made a firm commitment on the issue. A Labour spokesperson stated the party has pledged to end the use of hotels for asylum seekers by the end of this Parliament, which would be in 2029, or potentially earlier.
A Look at the Longer-Term Trend
While the recent figures show a clear uptick, the data also reveals a broader context. The number of asylum seekers in hotels peaked at 56,018 at the end of September 2023 under the previous Conservative government.
Following that peak, the numbers fell dramatically, hitting a record low of 29,561 in June 2024, just before the general election. The latest statistics indicate a reversal of that downward trend, with the September 2025 count standing at 36,273 individuals.
The published Home Office figures provide a timeline of hotel usage dating back to December 2022.
