The Home Office has announced that hundreds of asylum seekers have been removed from government-funded hotels, with some relocated to army barracks. Eleven 'asylum hotels' in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland have been closed, and more are expected to shut in the coming weeks. Approximately 350 claimants have been moved to Crowborough military camp in East Sussex, described as 'basic accommodation' by a spokesperson.
The closures follow Prime Minister Keir Starmer's pledge to end the use of hotels for asylum seekers before the next general election. The number of hotels still housing asylum seekers now stands at 185, down from a peak of 400. Around 30,000 people remain in hotels, while over 70,000 live in other accommodation such as shared housing or military barracks.
Immigration Minister Alex Norris stated: 'Hotels were meant to be a short-term stopgap under the previous government, but they spiralled out of control – costing taxpayers billions and dumping the consequences on local communities. We are shutting them down by moving people into more basic accommodation, scaling up large sites, removing record numbers of people with no right to remain.' The Home Office says the latest closures will save £65 million.
However, the Refugee Council has criticised the move. Imran Hussain, director of external affairs, said large military sites are not suitable alternatives: 'The government’s own spending watchdog previously found that they are more expensive than hotels, and they isolate people from local communities and essential services.' He suggested granting temporary permission to stay for people from countries like Sudan and Iran as a better way to empty hotels.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp argued that more asylum seekers are in hotels now than at the time of the election, accusing the government of moving people into apartments to hide the situation. Protests outside hotels have occurred over the past two summers, with some turning violent, including an incident in Rotherham in August 2024 where protesters attempted to set fire to a hotel with asylum seekers inside.
