The number of asylum seekers living in hotels across the UK has halved within a year, according to new figures.
Data released by the Home Office shows that around 12,000 people were in hotels at the end of June, down from around 24,000 a year earlier.
Home Office says hotel use is ending
The Home Office said it is on track to end the use of hotels for asylum seekers, with the majority of those who arrived in the UK in small boats now being housed in other forms of accommodation.
The department said it has been working to reduce the number of hotels used, and that the latest figures show a significant drop.
Impact of the reduction
The reduction in hotel use comes as the government continues to process asylum claims and move people into more permanent accommodation.
The Home Office said it remains committed to ending the use of hotels, which it described as a temporary measure.
