See How Many Asylum Seekers Your Council Has Taken in – Interactive Map Reveals All!
Hillingdon, a borough in West London, has been identified as Britain’s asylum seeker hotspot, with 97 asylum seekers for every 10,000 residents, according to government statistics.
The majority of these asylum seekers are housed in hotels under a nationwide scheme that costs taxpayers nearly £3 billion annually.
Data from the House of Commons Library reveals that 109,100 asylum seekers are currently being supported across the UK, with 42,800 in short-term “initial accommodation” (mostly hotels) and 65,700 in longer-term “dispersal accommodation.”
While Glasgow has the highest raw number of asylum seekers (4,193), Hillingdon tops the list when adjusted for population size. Other areas with high rates include Hounslow (73 per 10,000 residents) and Halton in Merseyside (70 per 10,000).
However, 59 local authorities house no asylum seekers at all, highlighting an uneven distribution that has sparked criticism.
Robert Bates of the Centre for Migration Control argues that the burden of the asylum crisis falls disproportionately on communities in the north and overstretched councils, while London’s large migrant population makes it easier for individuals to “disappear into the grey economy.”
The Home Office defends its policy of dispersing asylum seekers across the country, stating that individuals are not given a choice in their location or accommodation.
However, critics argue that the system is under immense strain, with the cost of housing asylum seekers in hotels now reaching £5.5 million per day. Despite Labour’s election pledge to “end asylum hotels,” the number of migrants in taxpayer-funded hotels has increased by 8,500 since the party took office.
The asylum system has faced unprecedented pressure, with over 108,000 applications in 2024—the highest annual number on record. Half of these applications were refused at the initial decision stage, but the backlog and slow removal processes have exacerbated the crisis.
Bates advocates for stronger deterrents, such as the Rwanda plan, to discourage illegal crossings and reduce the strain on public services.
Local communities, particularly in areas like Wethersfield, Essex, have expressed concerns about safety and the impact on housing markets.
Residents near the former RAF airfield, which now houses asylum seekers, report feeling unsafe at night due to anti-social behavior and say their homes have become unsellable.
The Home Office has not set a definitive end date for the use of migrant hotels, with officials aiming to reduce reliance on them “over time.” The department emphasizes its commitment to a fair distribution of asylum accommodation and ongoing dialogue with local authorities to address their needs.
However, the growing cost and logistical challenges of the asylum system continue to fuel public frustration and calls for reform.
