Migrant Hotel Costs Soar to £15 Billion: UK Faces Asylum Housing Crisis

The UK is facing a significant challenge in managing the influx of asylum seekers. Recent figures from the Home Office show that 32,345 migrants are currently housed in taxpayer-funded hotels. This represents a decrease from 38,079 at the end of 2024, but it still surpasses the number during the Labour government's tenure. The National Audit Office (NAO) has warned that this approach will cost £15 billion over the next 10 years. The NAO's report also revealed that taxpayers will shell out nearly £42 million a day on housing asylum seekers. This cost is three times higher than the Home Office's initial prediction. The increase in asylum seekers housed in Home Office accommodation rose by 134% between December 2019 and 2024, from 47,000 to 110,000. The rising costs and the significant increase in the number of asylum seekers raise concerns about the sustainability and effectiveness of the current system. One government official commented, "We are committed to finding a more sustainable and cost-effective solution to this problem."