UK’s government plans to stop using hotels to house asylum seekers
(MENAFN) The UK government is exploring the use of military barracks to house hundreds of asylum seekers as part of a plan to phase out the use of hotels for asylum accommodation.
Discussions are underway over two potential locations—one in Scotland and another in southern England—that could provide shelter for roughly 900 men, according to media reports. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has instructed Home Office and Ministry of Defence officials to accelerate efforts to identify suitable military sites.
The government has pledged to end the use of asylum hotels, which have cost billions of dollars and sparked protests, by the next election. Under current proposals, migrants could be accommodated at Cameron Barracks in Inverness and Crowborough Army Training Camp in East Sussex by the end of next month. Other options being considered include industrial sites, temporary facilities, and disused buildings.
Officials have stressed that all selected sites will comply with health and safety standards. A Home Office spokesperson said: “We are furious at the level of illegal migrants and asylum hotels. This government will close every asylum hotel. Work is well underway, with more suitable sites being brought forward to ease pressure on communities and cut asylum costs.”
At present, around 32,000 asylum seekers are being housed in hotels—a drop from over 56,000 at the 2023 peak, but 2,500 more than last year. A recent report criticized spending on asylum accommodation, noting that billions of dollars had been “squandered” due to “flawed contracts” and “incompetent delivery,” which forced the Home Office to rely on hotels as long-term solutions rather than temporary stops. Total costs were estimated to exceed $18 billion.
Sir Keir commented on the report, stating he was “determined” to close all asylum hotels and added: “I can't tell you how frustrated and angry I am that we've been left with a mess as big as this by the last government.”
Two former military sites—MDP Wethersfield in Essex and Napier Barracks in Kent—are already housing asylum seekers, having been repurposed under the previous administration.
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