More than 93,000 illegal migrants have been housed in accommodation across Britain at taxpayers’ expense, according to a Home Office dossier released on Thursday. The data reveals that 73,000 individuals were placed in non-hotel accommodation during the 12 months leading up to June 2026, marking a 3 per cent increase from the previous year and accounting for 78 per cent of all asylum seekers in the UK.
Home Office Data and Non-Hotel Accommodation Rise
The newly published figures show that the number of asylum seekers housed in non-hotel accommodation has grown by 22 per cent between December 2022 and June 2026, according to the Home Office. Since Labour took power in 2024, this specific figure has risen by roughly nine per cent, surpassing 6,000. Meanwhile, hotel accommodation accounts for about 17 per cent of the total asylum seeker population.
To meet the government’s pledge to end the use of asylum hotels by the end of the current parliament, authorities must disperse or process another 16,000 migrants. At the same time, the use of army barracks for housing has expanded. By the end of June 2026, official figures recorded 744 people at Wethersfield in Braintree and 418 people at Crowborough Training Camp in Wealden, with Labour announcing plans to extend the duration and capacity at both locations.
Did You Know? More than 205,000 people have crossed the English Channel in boats since 2018, according to data highlighted in the national debate.
Political Backlash and Divergent Claims Over Hotel Reductions
The dispersal strategy and use of military sites have triggered local and national protests as well as sharp political opposition. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp MP criticized the government’s approach, stating that “Labour are moving illegal immigrants out of hotels and into flats in your building, and now they are telling them to go and disappear without a trace.” He added that a future Conservative government would deport every illegal immigrant by leaving the ECHR if necessary.
Reform home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf argued that the new figures show Britain is “at breaking point,” noting that just five per cent of those crossing the Channel since 2018 have been deported while foreign criminals walking the streets have reached a record 21,294. In response, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood defended the government’s record, stating that “a little over two years into office and the asylum backlog is down, the number of asylum seekers in hotels is falling, illegal working arrests are at record levels, and deportations and returns are up markedly.”
The wider public debate has also involved disputed figures regarding hotel closures. While various reports and government ministers have claimed that the number of asylum hotels has “halved” under Labour—citing a drop from a peak of around 400 down to roughly 200—fact-checkers point out that almost all of that reduction occurred under the previous Conservative administration. Border security minister Dame Eagle confirmed that 213 hotels were in use in July 2024, meaning Labour’s first year in office saw a net reduction of just three hotels.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many migrants are currently housed in UK accommodation?
According to the Home Office dossier released in June 2026, more than 93,000 migrants have been housed in accommodation across the country at taxpayers’ expense.
What percentage of asylum seekers are kept in hotels?
Which military barracks are currently used to house asylum seekers?
Official figures show that at the end of June 2026, 744 people were housed at Wethersfield in Braintree and 418 people at Crowborough Training Camp in Wealden.
How will local communities and policymakers respond as the government attempts to phase out asylum hotels entirely by the end of this parliament?
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