Asylum numbers surge to almost HALF net migration, ONS says as insane hotel use continues
A dramatic shift in migration patterns has emerged, with asylum seekers now at the forefront, reshaping the UK’s immigration landscape in unexpected ways.
The number of asylum seekers hit a record high in the last year (Image: Getty)
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) data showed that net migration – the difference between those arriving and leaving – fell to 204,000 in the year to June, down by more than two-thirds in a year to reach the lowest annual level since 2021.
This sharp decline was largely driven by a drop in non-EU migrants coming to work and study, and the exit of large numbers of migrants who had arrived as part of the so-called Boris-wave since 2021, reports The Times.
However, the number of asylum seekers hit a record high in the last year, accounting for a whopping 44 percent of total net migration – double the pre-Brexit figure of 22 percent in 2019.
Asylum seekers dominate immigration as other categories decline
The University of Oxford’s Migration Observatory highlighted the stark shift in migration patterns, stating: “The only major migration category where net migration did not decrease was asylum.
Long-term immigration of asylum seekers was 96,000 in the year ending June 2025, making up 11 per cent of all immigration — double the 5 per cent share in 2019.”
More recent Home Office data showed that a record 110,051 people had claimed asylum in the UK in the year to September, driving an increase in the number of asylum seekers housed in hotels to 36,273 at the end of September – nearly a quarter higher than when Labour entered power in July last year.
Starmer’s broken promise on hotel use
The prime minister has repeatedly promised to end the use of hotels to accommodate asylum seekers, but the figures expose the government’s failure to deliver on this pledge. More than half of asylum seekers arrived in the UK illegally, including 45,000 on small boats and 12,000 in the back of lorries or without adequate documents.
The number of small boat migrants deported from the UK has fallen since Labour entered power, with a total of 2,852 removed, down from 2,932 in the equivalent period before Starmer became prime minister. While the Home Office has significantly improved decision-making, reducing the asylum backlog to 62,000, the number of migrants appealing against rejected asylum claims remains at record levels of more than 50,000.
Tories accuse Labour of losing control
The Conservatives have accused Labour of losing control of the border, with shadow home secretary Chris Philp slamming the government for its failure to get a grip on the crisis. “Today’s figures blow apart every claim Labour have made about getting control. More asylum grants, more claims, more illegal immigrants in hotels and almost no removals of small boat migrants. This is an asylum system and illegal small boat immigration in freefall under a Labour government that is too weak to get a grip,” he said.
Economic impact of changing migration patterns
Experts have warned that the changing composition of migration is likely to have less favourable economic impacts, with fewer people getting skilled worker visas and a higher share of refugees who often need significant support. Separate Home Office research revealed that less than half of refugees granted asylum in the UK had a job eight years later, compared to a wider UK employment rate of 73 percent over the same period.
As the asylum crisis continues to spiral out of control, the Labour government faces mounting pressure to deliver on its promises and regain control of the UK’s borders.
