Key Points:
The number of migrants in UK hotels has risen to 35,651, with £5.4 billion spent annually on the asylum system.
Rising Numbers and Costs
Home Office data shows a surge in migrants living in hotels across the UK, reaching 35,651 compared to 29,585 in June.
With a daily cost of £8.3 million, 220 sites are in use, including seven new openings in the last five months.
Small Boat Migrants and Returns
28% of asylum seekers arrived in the UK via small boats, with only 3% of those since 2018 being returned.
Afghans and Vietnamese are the most common nationalities among small boat arrivals.
Increased Processing and Pledges
The Home Office is intensifying claims processing, with 1,000 staff moved to the returns department.
PM Starmer aims to decrease hotel reliance, stating the importance of fulfilling the manifesto pledge.
Labour's Response
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp criticizes the hotel surge as yet another broken promise by Labour.
