Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Asylum Seekers: Accommodation

Monday 23 March 2026 · 6 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 6 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Home Office quarterly statistics show 103,426 individuals in asylum accommodation on 30 December 2025 and 96,642 on 30 June 2024.
  • The reduction in numbers from September to December 2025 is welcomed.
  • Reforms include a reduced protection period, faster decisions and increased removals by 30%.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sarah Bool Con South Northamptonshire
Asylum & Refugees
Context

Asylum accommodation numbers have been rising, causing concern in South Northamptonshire due to an asylum hotel operating in the constituency. Previous government figures showed 119,000 asylum seekers.

Question

How many asylum seekers were accommodated in asylum accommodation on (a) 30 December 2025 and (b) 30 June 2024? The number of people in asylum accommodation has increased since Labour came to power by more than 6,000. With figures like that, South Northamptonshire residents believe the Government is not tackling this issue effectively.

Answer from Alex Norris

Home Office quarterly statistics show 103,426 individuals in asylum accommodation on 30 December 2025 and 96,642 on 30 June 2024. The statement on asylum policy includes significant reforms such as a reduced protection period, quicker decisions, and increased removals by 30% compared to predecessors.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions to stop boat crossings were not detailed

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Q2 David Simmonds Con Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner
Asylum & Refugees Housing
Context

Hillingdon has the highest number of asylum seekers per capita in any local authority area, putting pressure on temporary accommodation.

Question

The figures published by the Home Office show around a 7% rise in the asylum and dispersal accommodation numbers. My Hillingdon constituents argue housing needs should prioritize long-standing residents over newly arrived asylum seekers. Does the Minister agree?

Answer from Alex Norris

While acknowledging the pressure, the Minister notes that building houses would help address the root cause of the crisis. The reduction in numbers from September to December 2025 is welcomed.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address prioritizing local residents' housing needs

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Q3 Sarah Bool Con South Northamptonshire
Asylum & Refugees
Context

Asylum hotel in South Northamptonshire continues to operate, and better weather is expected to increase boat crossings.

Question

Since Labour came to power, the number of people in asylum accommodation has increased by more than 6,000. With figures like that, no South Northamptonshire resident believes the Government is tackling this issue effectively. What will be done differently to stop boat crossings as promised?

Answer from Alex Norris

Reforms include a reduced protection period, faster decisions and increased removals by 30%. Future data is expected to show this trend continuing.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify actions to stop boat crossings

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Q4 Connor Naismith Lab Crewe and Nantwich
Asylum & Refugees
Context

Minister for work to close asylum hotels, including Crewe Arms hotel. Conservative government opened these hotels.

Question

Thank the Minister for working to close asylum hotels, including the Crewe Arms hotel. Will he join me in reminding Conservatives that they invented asylum hotels and presided over increased small boat crossings?

Answer from Alex Norris

The concept of asylum hotels was indeed introduced by the previous government, while Labour aims to close them.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide details on closing Royal hotel in Crewe and Nantwich constituency

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Q5 Matt Vickers Con Stockton West
Asylum & Refugees Migrants & Borders
Context

Asylum accommodation figures have increased from 96,642 to more than 103,000. Boat crossings are up by 45%, and the new border security commander has quit.

Question

Despite creative interpretation of dates, asylum accommodation numbers have gone up. There is a lack of gang-smashing, crossings are up by 45%. When will the Government accept that their approach is making things worse?

Answer from Alex Norris

Pointing to different dates in the calendar does not work, but significant efforts on tackling organized immigration crime have increased by 37% under this government.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address when the Government will acknowledge their approach is worsening the situation

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Q6 Max Wilkinson Lib Dem Cheltenham
Immigration Brexit Benefits & Welfare
Context

Concerns about changes to indefinite leave to remain risk busting social cohesion efforts and harming public services, economy.

Question

The Home Secretary's authoritarian tendencies often please the Reform party and Tories. Some Labour Members are reportedly unhappy with these proposals. Is she comfortable relying on support from Farage and Tories?

Answer from Alex Norris

Economic migrants and asylum seekers are different populations, but changes include increasing main basis time for settlement to 10 years with conditions such as working, not committing crimes, learning English. More than 200,000 responses were received in the consultation.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address reliance on support from Farage and Tories

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