UK to Close Seven Asylum Hotels as Backlog Reductions Continue

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper cites progress in reducing asylum case delays and costs, with the total number of hotels in use dropping to 213.

The UK government will close seven asylum hotels in the New Year, reducing the total number in use to 213 from a peak of over 400 under the previous administration.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized that housing asylum seekers in hotels is costly, with expenses previously reaching £8.8 million per day, and described it as an inappropriate solution.
The Labour government has focused on clearing a significant backlog of asylum cases, which had stalled under the previous government, with monthly decision-making having dropped by 70% before the election.
More than 35,000 people have crossed the Channel this year, including over 21,000 since Labour took office, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowing to combat criminal gangs facilitating illegal crossings.
The Labour government has ruled out expanding safe routes for asylum seekers, arguing that targeting criminal networks is a more effective preventative measure.