Number of asylum seekers placed in UK hotels has soared since 2020

Government data shows Home Office use of hotels has risen tenfold since March 2020 despite pledges to end practice

Home Office use of hotels for asylum seekers in the UK has increased tenfold since the start of the pandemic, despite repeated pledges from the government to end use of this accommodation.

According to the government’s own data there was a jump in contingency accommodation, which is largely hotels, from 2,577 people in March 2020 to 37,142 in September 2022.