The British taxpayer is footing an eye-watering bill of £8.2 million per day to house asylum seekers in temporary hotels, according to explosive new figures obtained by the Labour Party.
This staggering daily cost underscores the immense scale of the UK's immigration backlog, with more than 50,000 people currently accommodated in hotel rooms across the country while their claims are processed.
A Deepening Crisis and a Mounting Bill
The data, which covers the period up to the end of December 2023, reveals a system under severe strain. The reliance on expensive contingency accommodation has become a central point of political contention, symbolising the government's struggles to manage the asylum process efficiently and humanely.
Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper lambasted the Conservative government, stating the figures expose a system that has been "overwhelmed and collapsed,"> leading to a "huge bill for taxpayers."
Government Response and Policy Pledges
In response, the Home Office defended its record, pointing to a series of high-profile policies designed to tackle the issue. A spokesman highlighted the Rwanda partnership plan and the increased efforts to process claims more quickly.
"We are continuing to work across government to bring down the number of migrants in hotels, which are costing UK taxpayers £8.2 million a day," the spokesman said, adding that the government is simultaneously "stepping up enforcement action" and "stopping the boats."
However, critics argue that the enormous daily expenditure demonstrates that these policies have yet to yield significant financial savings or reduce the reliance on emergency accommodation.
The Human and Financial Cost
Beyond the raw numbers, the situation presents a dual crisis:
- Financial Drain: The colossal daily spending highlights the severe economic impact of the processing delays on public finances.
- Human Impact: Tens of thousands of individuals remain in a state of limbo, unable to work or properly integrate while awaiting a decision on their future.
This ongoing saga continues to dominate political discourse, posing a significant challenge to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's pledge to "stop the boats" and manage migration more effectively.
