UK closes 13 asylum seeker hotels in latest shutdown

The British government has announced the closure of 13 hotels previously used to house asylum seekers, marking the latest step in a nationwide effort to end the practice and transition to larger, basic accommodation such as former military sites. The closures, confirmed by the Home Office, include the Staycity Apartments in Lewisham, south London; the Ramada Jarvis Hotel in Loughborough; the Britannia Hotel in Nottingham; and the Holiday Inn in Bridgwater, Somerset. The government stated these sites can now return to business as usual or be repurposed for community use.

The move is part of a broader strategy that has seen 43 asylum hotels closed so far in 2026, following 11 closures in April and 20 in June. This latest round is expected to save taxpayers £51 million, bringing the total savings from this year's closures to £224 million. The government noted this is in addition to an almost £1 billion reduction in asylum accommodation costs since the 2024 general election. Fewer than 160 asylum hotels remain in use nationally, down from a peak of 400 in 2023.

Immigration Minister Anna Turley said the closures are part of reforms to "overhaul the immigration system to restore...