UK asylum claims fall 21% as hotel housing halves

The number of people seeking asylum in the United Kingdom fell by 21 percent over the past year, while small boat crossings and the use of hotels to house asylum seekers also dropped sharply, according to government figures released on Thursday. The data indicates that policies aimed at controlling the asylum system are having an effect, though officials stress there is more work to be done. Home Office statistics for the year ending in June 2026 show that approximately 86,000 people claimed asylum, a significant decrease from the previous year.