The number of asylum seekers residing in hotels across the West Midlands has fallen by more than half since the end of 2023, according to the latest Home Office figures. In March 2026, a total of 2,314 asylum seekers were housed in contingency accommodation in the region, a significant drop from 5,652 in December 2023.
National Decline in Hotel Use
This decline mirrors a nationwide trend. Across the UK, the number of asylum seekers placed in hotels has fallen to its lowest recorded level. As of March 2026, 20,885 individuals were in hotel accommodation, down from 34,486 in March 2024 and a peak of 56,018 in September 2023.
Net Migration Falls to Lowest Since 2012
The reduction in hotel use coincides with a sharp drop in net migration. In the year to December 2025, net migration to the UK stood at 171,000, less than half the figure for the same period in 2024 and drastically lower than the peak of nearly one million in 2023. Excluding the pandemic period, this is the lowest level of net migration since 2012.
Local Context: Sutton Coldfield Hotel
In the West Midlands, the Ramada Hotel on Penns Lane in Sutton Coldfield has been used to house asylum seekers since October 2021. The Home Office recently announced that the hotel is being converted to accommodate more than 50% additional residents, although overall numbers in the region have fallen.
Rise in British Nationals Leaving the UK
While net migration has decreased, the number of British nationals leaving the country continues to rise. The UK experienced a net loss of 136,000 British citizens in the year to December 2025, up from 117,000 in 2024 and 80,000 in 2012, the last time overall net migration was as low as current levels.
The Home Office has not commented on future plans for contingency accommodation in the West Midlands, but the figures suggest a continued shift away from hotel use for asylum seekers.
