Story perspectives

UK Asylum Hotel Numbers Drop, Net Migration Hits 2012 Low

5/21/2026

Summary

Story summary

Asylum seekers in temporary hotels fell to 20,885, about one-third less than a year earlier.
The Office for National Statistics reported net migration of 171,000 in the year to December 2025, the lowest since 2012, as immigration totaled 813,000 and emigration 642,000, driven by fewer non-EU workers and family visas.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the decline shows restored border control and unveiled a skills-based migration system to curb overseas labour.

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Story summary

Asylum seekers in temporary hotels fell to 20,885, about one-third less than a year earlier.
The Office for National Statistics reported net migration of 171,000 in the year to December 2025, the lowest since 2012, as immigration totaled 813,000 and emigration 642,000, driven by fewer non-EU workers and family visas.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the decline shows restored border control and unveiled a skills-based migration system to curb overseas labour.