Birmingham Hotels Remain Third Highest for Asylum Seeker Accommodation in UK
New figures from the Home Office have disclosed that Birmingham hotels continue to house the third highest number of asylum seekers in the United Kingdom, even after a significant reduction in recent months. As of December 31, 2025, a total of 1,087 individuals were residing in temporary hotel accommodation across the city.
Significant Decrease in Numbers
This number represents a notable drop of 205 people compared to the previous count on September 30, 2025, which stood at 1,292. The decline is part of a broader national trend, with the overall number of asylum seekers housed in UK hotels falling to its lowest level in 18 months. At the end of December, there were 30,657 people staying in such accommodations while awaiting decisions on their asylum claims.
National Context and Comparisons
The data highlights Birmingham's position among the top locations for hotel-based asylum accommodation. Hillingdon led with 1,896 individuals, followed by Hounslow with 1,466, and Birmingham in third place with 1,087. Other areas like Croydon saw an increase to 1,069, while Manchester decreased to 979. In the West Midlands, Solihull had 233, Wolverhampton 285, Sandwell 233, and Dudley 76, all showing decreases from earlier in the year.
Challenges and Living Conditions
Previously, asylum seekers from Birmingham have spoken out about the difficulties of hotel living, describing it as "very difficult" and "not what people think." Individuals from Afghanistan raised concerns about unsafe food, overcrowded conditions, and rooms affected by damp and mould, underscoring the human impact of this temporary housing solution.
Government Policies and Future Plans
The issue of hotel use for asylum seekers gained prominence last year, leading to protests at some sites. The Labour Party has pledged to eliminate the use of asylum hotels by the end of the current Parliament in 2029, if not sooner. In October 2025, the government announced plans to use barracks in Scotland and southern England to house around 900 men, as part of efforts to reduce reliance on hotels.
Historical Trends and Backlog Reduction
Hotel usage peaked at 56,018 in September 2023 under the previous Conservative government and dropped to a record low of 29,561 by June 2024. The December 2025 figures are 15% lower than the previous quarter. Additionally, the asylum backlog has decreased to 64,426, the lowest since September 2020, with 100,625 asylum applications in 2025, down 4% from 2024.
Government Response and Citizenship Data
A Home Office spokesperson stated that the statistics "show real progress as we restore order and control to our borders," but acknowledged that "too many hotels remain in use." They emphasized reforms to address migration pull factors and increase removals. In related data, 291,971 people applied for British citizenship in 2025, the highest since 2002, with a spike in the last quarter linked to policy changes affecting refugee settlement timelines.
