Major UK Cities Revolt Against Use of Hotels for Migrant Housing

Key Takeaways

• Over 32,000 asylum seekers live in UK hotels as of March 2025, a 15% rise from last year.
• The UK government plans to end hotel use for asylum seekers by 2029 amid protests and debates.
• Annual hotel accommodation costs exceed £1 billion, with 50,976 unresolved asylum appeals prolonging stays.

Public Protests and Political Tensions Over Migrant Hotels in the UK

In June 2025, a wave of protests and political debates has swept across the United Kingdom 🇬🇧, with many local communities and officials voicing strong opposition to the government’s continued use of hotels as temporary housing for asylum seekers. The situation has become especially tense in several UK cities, where local leaders and residents argue that the presence of migrant hotels is straining local resources, causing safety concerns, and disrupting community life. This article provides a detailed look at the current state of migrant hotels in the UK, the policies behind their use, the perspectives of key stakeholders, and what the future may hold for asylum seekers and the communities that host them.

Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How

Who: Asylum seekers, local communities, government officials, campaigners, and charities
What: Growing opposition to the use of hotels as temporary accommodation for asylum seekers
When: Ongoing, with significant developments and protests reported in June 2025
Where: Across the United Kingdom 🇬🇧, with notable incidents in cities like Datchet, Horton, and Wraysbury
Why: Concerns over safety, cost, community impact, and the long-term use of hotels for asylum seekers
How: Through public protests, political statements, and policy debates

Rising Tensions in UK Cities

In recent months, several UK cities have seen public protests and heated debates about the use of hotels to house asylum seekers. In the constituency of Datchet, Horton, and Wraysbury, Reform UK Councillor David Buckley reported that asylum seekers were removed from a local hotel just two weeks ago after community members raised concerns. This hotel had been used twice in the past three years, under both Conservative and Labour governments, showing that the issue is not limited to one political party or administration.

Local opposition is not unique to this area. Across the country, residents and local officials have voiced worries about the impact of migrant hotels on their communities. Some fear that the presence of large numbers of asylum seekers in hotels could lead to safety issues, while others are concerned about the loss of valuable community services when hotels are repurposed for asylum accommodation.

Scale of the Issue: How Many Asylum Seekers Live in Hotels?

The use of hotels as temporary accommodation for asylum seekers has grown sharply in recent years. According to official government data from March 2025:

• Over 32,000 asylum seekers are currently housed in hotels across the United Kingdom 🇬🇧.
• This marks a 15% increase in hotel accommodation use compared to the previous year.
• The annual cost of housing asylum seekers in hotels now exceeds £1 billion.
• There are 50,976 unresolved asylum appeals, meaning many people remain in temporary accommodation for extended periods.
• Some estimates suggest that over 200,000 migrants could be living in hotels despite having had their asylum claims rejected.

These numbers highlight the scale and complexity of the challenge facing the UK government and local communities.

Why Are Hotels Used for Asylum Seekers?

The Home Office classifies hotels as “contingency accommodation.” This means hotels are used as a backup when regular housing for asylum seekers, known as dispersal accommodation, is not available. While this was supposed to be a short-term solution, it has become a long-term reality in many areas.

In May 2023, the government introduced a full-dispersal model. This policy requires all local authorities to house asylum seekers in proportion to their population size. The goal was to spread the responsibility more evenly and reduce the pressure on certain areas. However, many local councils have struggled to implement this model, and some communities have resisted taking in more asylum seekers.

The government has also announced plans to use large sites on government-owned land and even vessels to house asylum seekers. Despite these plans, only one such site—a former military base in Wethersfield, Essex—is currently operational. These large sites have faced criticism for poor living conditions and high costs.

Key Stakeholders: Who’s Involved and What Do They Say?

UK Government (Home Office):
The government acknowledges the challenges and has promised to end the use of hotels for asylum accommodation by 2029. Officials promote the full-dispersal model and alternative large-site accommodations but face criticism for delays, high costs, and slow progress.

Local Councillors and Communities:
Many local leaders, like Councillor David Buckley, have spoken out against the repeated use of hotels in their areas. They cite concerns about safety, the impact on local services, and the strain on community resources. Public protests have become more common, reflecting widespread unease.

Campaigners and Charities:
Groups such as the Refugee Council argue that hotels are not suitable for long-term accommodation. They point to problems like lack of privacy, safeguarding issues (especially for women), and negative effects on mental health. These organizations also criticize the high cost and poor oversight of hotel contracts.

Opposition Parties:
Labour and other opposition parties have been drawn into the debate, with some, including Reform UK figures, accusing Labour of “massaging figures” related to asylum hotel numbers. This has added a political dimension to the issue, making it a hot topic in national debates.

Policy Implications: What Does This Mean for Asylum Seekers and Communities?

Mental Health and Safeguarding:
Hotels often provide mixed-sex accommodation with little privacy. This can lead to mental health problems and has resulted in reports of abuse and harassment among asylum seekers. Campaigners stress the need for better safeguarding and support.

Community Impact:
When hotels are used for asylum seekers, they often stop serving their original purpose, such as hosting tourists or community events. This can hurt local economies and reduce services available to residents. Some communities feel overwhelmed by the sudden arrival of large numbers of asylum seekers.

Financial Costs:
Hotels are much more expensive than regular dispersal accommodation. The government’s plan to use large sites has also run into problems, with refurbishment costs sometimes exceeding those of hotels. There are growing questions about whether the current approach is sustainable.

Backlog and Delays:
The large number of unresolved asylum appeals means many people stay in hotels for months or even years. This not only increases costs but also makes it harder for asylum seekers to rebuild their lives.

Step-by-Step: How Does the Asylum Accommodation Process Work?

To help readers understand how asylum seekers end up in hotels, here’s a simple breakdown:

1. Asylum Application: A person applies for asylum in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧.
2. Initial Accommodation: If they qualify, they are placed in dispersal accommodation. If this is not available, they are sent to a hotel (contingency accommodation).
3. Appeal Process: If their asylum claim is rejected, they can appeal. While waiting for a decision, they may remain in accommodation.
4. Dispersal Model: Local authorities are required to house asylum seekers based on their population size.
5. Government Plans: The government aims to move asylum seekers from hotels to large sites or other accommodation by 2029.
6. Ongoing Monitoring: The Home Office is supposed to oversee accommodation providers, but monitoring has been criticized as not being strong enough.

Expert Views: What Do Analysts and Charities Say?

Migration Observatory (Oxford):
Experts at the Migration Observatory say that living in hotels is bad for asylum seekers’ wellbeing. They also point out that using hotels is very expensive and not efficient. The government has promised many times to reduce hotel use, but the problem continues.

Refugee Council:
The Refugee Council calls for better standards in asylum accommodation. They criticize the government for moving too slowly to reduce reliance on hotels and for not providing enough support to vulnerable people.

Political Analysts:
Many analysts see the issue as a sensitive political topic. Local opposition to migrant hotels often feeds into larger debates about immigration policy and how well the government is handling the situation.

Background: How Did the UK Get Here?

The use of hotels for asylum seekers increased sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, there was a shortage of regular housing, so hotels became a quick fix. Since then, the government has struggled to move away from this approach, even after introducing new policies.

The full-dispersal model, launched in May 2023, was meant to spread the responsibility for housing asylum seekers more fairly. However, many local councils have found it hard to meet these new requirements, and some communities have pushed back.

Plans to use large sites, such as former military bases, have also faced problems. These sites are expensive to refurbish and have been criticized for poor living conditions.

Quantitative Data: Key Numbers at a Glance

• 32,345 asylum seekers living in hotels (March 2025)
• 15% increase in hotel use over the past year
• 50,976 unresolved asylum appeals (March 2025)
• Potentially over 200,000 migrants in hotels with rejected claims (June 2025 estimate)
• Over £1 billion spent annually on hotel accommodation
• 2029: Government’s target year to end hotel use for asylum seekers

Future Outlook: What’s Next for Migrant Hotels and Asylum Seekers?

The UK government has set a goal to end the use of hotels for asylum seekers by 2029. This means moving people to large sites or other types of accommodation. However, with the number of asylum seekers rising and the appeals backlog still large, it’s unclear how quickly this transition can happen.

Political and public pressure is likely to keep the issue in the spotlight. Some experts believe that continued protests and community resistance could push the government to act faster or try new solutions. Improving monitoring and safeguarding for asylum seekers is expected to become a bigger priority.

The backlog of asylum appeals remains a major challenge. Until this is addressed, many asylum seekers will likely continue to live in temporary accommodation, including hotels.

Practical Guidance for Stakeholders

For Local Communities:
Stay informed about government policies and local plans for asylum accommodation. Engage with local councils and community groups to voice concerns or offer support.

For Asylum Seekers:
If you are seeking asylum in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧, you can find official information and support through the UK Home Office’s asylum accommodation page. This page provides up-to-date details on your rights, available support, and how to access services.

For Campaigners and Charities:
Continue to monitor accommodation standards and advocate for better conditions. Work with local authorities and the Home Office to ensure that the needs of asylum seekers are met.

For Policymakers:
Focus on reducing the appeals backlog, improving accommodation standards, and finding cost-effective, humane solutions for asylum seekers.

Conclusion: A Complex Challenge with No Easy Answers

The revolt against migrant hotels in UK cities shows just how complicated the issue of asylum accommodation has become. With rising numbers of asylum seekers, high costs, and strong feelings on all sides, finding a solution that works for everyone is not easy. The government’s promise to end hotel use by 2029 is ambitious, but it will require major changes in policy, funding, and community engagement.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the situation remains fluid, with new developments expected as the government, local communities, and advocacy groups continue to debate the best way forward. For now, the use of migrant hotels in the UK remains a pressing issue that affects thousands of people—both asylum seekers and the communities that host them.

For more information on asylum accommodation and related policies, visit the UK Home Office’s official asylum accommodation page. This resource offers clear guidance for both asylum seekers and local communities.

By staying informed and engaged, all stakeholders can help shape a fairer and more effective system for those seeking safety and a new life in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧.

Learn Today

Asylum Seekers → Individuals requesting protection and refuge in the UK due to persecution in their home countries.
Dispersal Accommodation → Government-assigned housing for asylum seekers spread by local area population size.
Contingency Accommodation → Temporary housing, often hotels, used when standard dispersal accommodation is unavailable.
Appeal Process → Legal procedure asylum seekers follow to challenge rejected asylum claims.
Full-Dispersal Model → Policy requiring all local authorities to house asylum seekers proportionally by population.

This Article in a Nutshell

UK cities experience protests over migrant hotels used for asylum seekers, stressing communities and raising costs. Over 32,000 housed in hotels, with government aiming to end this practice by 2029 amid political and social tensions.
— By VisaVerge.com