Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Asylum Hotels 2026-07-13

Monday 13 July 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

  • The number of asylum hotels has decreased from 213 in July 2024 to fewer than 170 today.
  • The Government works with local authorities and community partners to ensure families and vulnerable individuals receive necessary support during moves out of hotels.
  • No decision has been made regarding RAF Linton-on-Ouse as an asylum seeker site, but all factors including proximity to schools are considered.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Zubir Ahmed Lab
Asylum & Refugees
Context

The use of asylum hotels has been a contentious issue, with numbers dropping from 213 in July 2024 to less than 170 currently.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to close asylum hotels. The number of hotels has decreased but concerns remain about community impact and appropriate accommodation for families being moved out of these hotels, especially in Scotland.

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

The Government committed to end asylum hotel use by this Parliament. We have reduced the number from 213 in July 2024 to fewer than 170 today, and we continue to move people into more basic accommodation while speeding up caseworking and removing record numbers of individuals.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps for moving families into suitable accommodation were not detailed.

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Q2 Zubir Ahmed Lab
Asylum & Refugees Community Security
Context

Hotels have become a source of right-wing intimidation, affecting community cohesion in areas where asylum seekers are housed.

Question

Can she reassure me that as families are moved out of these hotels, particularly in Scotland, they are put in accommodation that is appropriate not only for them but also for the communities in which they are housed? The concern is about proper support and community impact.

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

We work closely with local authorities, accommodation providers, and safeguarding partners to ensure that families and vulnerable individuals receive the necessary support during any move. We understand the impact of hotels on community tensions but emphasize the right to peaceful protest.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details about suitable accommodations in Scotland were not provided.

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Q3 Alec Shelbrooke Con Elmet and Rothwell
Asylum & Refugees
Context

Up to 1,500 asylum seekers may be placed at RAF Linton-on-Ouse in a village of around 600 adults. A nearby primary school is also affected.

Question

Will she now rule out RAF Linton-on-Ouse as an inappropriate site because of the proximity to a primary school? The concern is for community cohesion and appropriate placement of asylum seekers.

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

No decision has been taken yet, but all factors including proximity to schools and community facilities are considered in the decision-making process.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific ruling out of RAF Linton-on-Ouse was not given.

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Q4 Tom Hayes Lab
Asylum & Refugees
Context

Three asylum hotels were inherited, and regular updates have been requested regarding their closure.

Question

Can she give an update on the closure of any of the asylum hotels in Bournemouth? The MP has previously asked for updates on 5 January, 9 February, 9 March, and 8 June.

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

The Government is committed to ending the use of all asylum hotels by the end of this Parliament. While further positive news may come, no specific update was given for Bournemouth's hotels.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific closure status updates were not provided.

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Q5 Julian Lewis Con New Forest East
Migrants & Borders
Context

The Home Secretary is addressing the issue of moving asylum seekers out of hotels and into camps, while also considering ways to reduce inflows.

Question

What plans does she have for truly deterring people from coming to Britain on small boats? The concern is about reducing inflow and ensuring effective deterrence strategies.

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

We will debate a Bill later today that includes measures to reduce the inflow of people coming across the channel. Since becoming Home Secretary, we have announced policy changes designed to alter the calculations of those seeking to come here on boats.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific plans for deterring boat journeys were not detailed.

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Q6 Max Wilkinson Lib Dem
Asylum & Refugees
Context

The cost of asylum accommodation has more than tripled from under £5 billion to over £15 billion, with concerns about value for money.

Question

Given the high costs, is the Home Secretary planning to activate break clauses in these expensive contracts? The right hon. Member for Makerfield has expressed an ambition to do so if he becomes Prime Minister next week.

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

We will retender these contracts to ensure better value for money. Since taking office, the cost of asylum accommodation and support has decreased by more than £1 billion.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific plans to activate break clauses were not detailed.

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