The government must legally provide housing for asylum-seekers. Before 2020, using hotels caused little public attention.
Rising asylum-seeker numbers in 2020 forced the Conservative government to find new housing solutions quickly.
A recent court ruling complicated the government’s efforts and encouraged opponents to challenge hotel accommodations in court.
Right-wing politicians leveraged a temporary injunction against an Epping hotel to inspire similar legal actions elsewhere.
Public Protests and Counteractions
Protesters filled streets across the UK on Saturday, including Liverpool, to oppose hotels housing asylum-seekers.
Right-wing parties coined the slogan “Abolish Asylum System,” which protesters also used in Bristol, Newcastle, and London.
In Liverpool, Stand Up To Racism organised a counter-protest to challenge the Abolish Asylum System demonstration.
Police escorted some Abolish Asylum System protesters away and pushed back participants at the counter-protest.
Rising Numbers and National Debate
Unauthorized immigration has sparked heated debate across Western countries, including the UK.
Migrants flee war, poverty, climate change, or political persecution, seeking safety and better lives.
In the UK, tensions rose over Channel crossings in overcrowded boats and the government’s cost of housing asylum-seekers.
Over 27,000 people arrived this year, nearly 50% more than last year.
The government housed just over 32,000 asylum-seekers in hotels by June, up from 29,500 a year earlier, but below the September 2023 peak of 56,000.
Between July 2024 and June 2025, 111,084 people applied for asylum, the highest yearly total since 2001.
In May, the National Audit Office reported that 35% of asylum accommodation residents temporarily lived in hotels.
