The UK government has initiated a significant plan to relocate hundreds of asylum seekers from hotel accommodations across England. This strategic move aligns with the Labour administration’s election promise to end the controversial use of hotels for housing asylum seekers. Nine facilities are scheduled to be vacated in the coming weeks, marking a substantial shift in the government’s approach to managing asylum accommodation.
Government strategy to vacate asylum seeker hotels
The Home Office has confirmed plans to remove asylum seekers from nine hotels throughout England within weeks. This decisive action forms part of a broader strategy to address what officials describe as a chaotic asylum system inherited from the previous Conservative government. The current administration aims to implement a sustainable exit plan that fulfills their commitment to end reliance on what they term “eye-wateringly expensive asylum hotels.”
Among the facilities targeted for closure is the Manor hotel in Datchet, Berkshire, situated approximately 1.5 miles from Windsor Castle. This 54-bedroom establishment has become a focal point of controversy, with some local residents claiming the village has experienced significant disruption. Other hotels scheduled for closure include:
- Coventry Hill hotel (319-capacity)
- Britannia Daresbury Park hotel near Warrington, Cheshire (425-capacity)
- Best Western Cambridge Bar Hill hotel (272-capacity)
- Icon hotel in Luton, Bedfordshire
- Dorchester hotel in Hull (78-capacity)
- Embassy hotel in Gateshead (80-capacity)
- EasyHotel near Hillingdon, west London
- An unnamed hotel near Kings Cross, central London
According to government sources, asylum seekers relocated from these hotels will be transferred to longer-term temporary housing options, primarily flats or shared houses managed by the Home Office. This transition aims to provide more suitable accommodation while reducing costs to taxpayers.
Community impacts and local tensions
Several hotels designated for closure have become flashpoints for community tensions. In Datchet, a village with approximately 4,800 residents, reports have emerged of strained relations between some locals and asylum seekers. Media coverage has highlighted allegations of racial tensions, with one Hindu shop worker reportedly experiencing abuse based on his religion and nationality.
The situation has prompted some residents to consider relocating, with one villager quoted in media reports as planning to sell their home due to perceived deterioration of community conditions. However, other local voices have defended the asylum seekers, noting their politeness and difficult circumstances. Mo Tariq, a cafe owner in Datchet, emphasized that many asylum seekers are not permitted to work, which contributes to their visible presence in public spaces.
Far-right activism has targeted several hotels housing asylum seekers. The Coventry Hill hotel has experienced multiple protests, with one individual convicted of assaulting a security guard during a demonstration in 2020. Similarly, Britain First activists forcibly entered the Britannia Daresbury Park hotel that same year, filming asylum seekers from Sudan and Iraq in cramped accommodations. These incidents highlight the complex social and political dimensions surrounding asylum accommodation.
The ongoing challenges related to asylum seekers’ accommodation coincide with other pressing issues affecting communities across England. For those interested in staying informed about regional developments, flood alerts remain active in several areas as England continues to deal with Storm Conall’s aftermath.
Processing asylum claims and accommodation alternatives
The government’s initiative to relocate asylum seekers from hotels is facilitated by increased processing of asylum applications, which officials claim had “almost ground to a halt” under the previous administration. A Home Office source indicated that over 20,000 individuals with “no right to be here” have been removed as part of the current strategy.
| Year | Channel crossings | Hotels in use |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 36,816 | 218 (December) |
| 2025 (as of April) | Nearly 7,000 | Decreasing (9 scheduled for closure) |
BBC figures revealed that during the June general election campaign, 213 hotels were being utilized to house asylum seekers. While this number initially decreased after the election, it rose to 218 by December. The current administration has emphasized its commitment to rationalizing the asylum accommodation system by implementing more cost-effective housing options and optimizing available resources.
Labour sources have particularly highlighted concerns about hotels as accommodation for vulnerable groups. “We know hotels are not the best accommodation for vulnerable children and families, so it’s right we prioritize moving them,” stated one party source. This reflects a shift toward considering not only cost efficiency but also the welfare implications of different housing arrangements.
Addressing the asylum backlog challenge
The issue of asylum hotels has become increasingly prominent for the Labour government, with backbench MPs expressing growing concern about the party’s ability to reduce the substantial asylum processing backlog. During the previous general election campaign, Sir Keir Starmer specifically pledged to end asylum hotels and save billions in taxpayer funds, making this a key political commitment for his administration.
Government sources confirm that thirteen additional hotels had already ceased housing asylum seekers since the beginning of 2025, indicating ongoing progress toward this goal. However, the challenge remains substantial, with nearly 7,000 asylum seekers arriving in the UK via Channel crossings in the first few months of 2025 alone, following over 36,800 such arrivals recorded in 2024.
The administration characterizes its approach as a necessary response to what it describes as “absolute chaos” in the inherited asylum system. By focusing on processing applications more efficiently, increasing returns of those without legal right to remain, and implementing more rational accommodation strategies, the government aims to demonstrate meaningful progress on this politically sensitive issue while managing significant operational and humanitarian challenges.
- Three children charged with murder in court following man’s death - March 22, 2026
- Three children charged with murder in court following man’s death - March 22, 2026
- Fire breaks out in field near Stonehenge world heritage site - March 21, 2026
