Overview
- The Home Office plans to scrap the legal duty to automatically support destitute asylum seekers, enabling removal of accommodation and weekly payments for some people.
- Evictions from hotels are expected to start in the spring, with further shutdowns targeted by April under a pledge to end hotel use entirely by 2029.
- Those in scope include people with the right to work, individuals with sufficient means, anyone who breaks the law or works illegally, and those refusing an order to leave the UK.
- Alternative housing being prepared includes former military barracks, houses in multiple occupation and a council housing pilot, alongside efforts to speed removals.
- Officials are pursuing expanded returns with France, a possible deal with Germany and potential removals to Syria; around 36,000 were in hotels and 111,651 received asylum support as of September.