The number of asylum seekers housed in hotels is 8% higher than at the same point last year, the latest government figures show.
The latest Home Office data revealed the number of asylum seekers housed in hotels stood at 32,059 at the end of June – down slightly from the 32,345 recorded at the end of March.
The figure stood at 29,585 in June 2024.
The data released on Thursday is 43% lower than the peak of 56,042, recorded at the end of September 2023.
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The numbers are released as councils across the UK are considering whether to follow the footsteps of Epping Forest District Council.
The Essex council was granted a temporary injunction on Tuesday by the High Court to block asylum seekers from lodging at The Bell Hotel.
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Epping Forest Council had argued the hotel’s owners did not have planning permission to house migrants there.
Reform UK-led councils are looking into doing the same, two Labour-run councils said they are considering it, and Kemi Badenoch has encouraged Conservative-led councils to follow Epping’s lead.
Tory-run Broxbourne Council announced it is exploring its legal options.
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