LONDON — Newly released government data indicates a sharp decline in the volume of asylum seekers accommodated in hotels across the United Kingdom. Statistics published by the Home Office show that the population in such lodgings has dropped by half over a twelve-month period.

In June of last year, more than 32,000 individuals awaited initial rulings while living in hotel rooms. By June of this year, that total had decreased to approximately 16,000.

Officials reported broad decreases across multiple migration metrics, including legal arrivals, overall protection claims, and small boat crossings. The data reflects trends extending through the year leading up to June.

Government representatives credited current border and immigration strategies for the shift. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood noted that processing backlogs have shrunk alongside hotel usage, while deportations, returns, and arrests for illegal employment have risen.

Despite these improvements, administration officials emphasized that challenges remain regarding maritime arrivals from northern France. Roughly 38,000 unauthorized entries were recorded during the twelve-month period, with the vast majority utilizing small boats.

Overall protection applications dropped by one-fifth to 86,000. Approximately half of those applicants were already residing in the country legally prior to filing.

The backlog of unresolved initial claims has fallen significantly from a peak of 175,000 recorded in June 2023. At the end of June this year, the number of pending decisions stood at 40,000.

While hotel numbers decreased, the number of people placed in private dispersal housing contracted by the Home Office rose. That figure climbed from 65,000 at the end of 2024 to 69,000 by June.

Enforced removals of individuals without a lawful basis to remain — including failed applicants, foreign criminals, and visa overstayers — reached 40,000 for the year. This represented an eight percent increase compared to the prior twelve months, driven largely by a rise in departed asylum claimants.

Legal migration categories also saw notable contractions. Work visas dropped to 235,000 for the year ending in June, marking an 18 percent decline from the previous year and a substantial reduction from the peak recorded in late 2023.

Opposition figures offered starkly contrasting views on the latest numbers. Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp criticized the administration over alternative accommodation methods and argued for more stringent deterrence measures.

Reform UK echoed calls for harsher enforcement, asserting that existing policies remain insufficient. Party representatives advocated for direct naval intervention in maritime channels and immediate detention protocols for unauthorized arrivals.

The administration maintains that its phased approach to accelerating processing speeds and increasing returns is delivering measurable progress. Officials reiterated their commitment to eliminating the use of temporary hotel lodging entirely over the coming years.

Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC News. Read the original report at BBC News.