A RECORD number of people claimed asylum in the UK in the last year – with a massive 32,000 currently living in taxpayer-funded hotels.
Home Office data released this morning shows that 111,000 people claimed asylum in the year ending June 2025 up 14 per cent on last year.
More than 50,000 people have crossed the Channel on small boats this year already
It is higher than the previous recorded peak of 103,000 which was set in 2002.
The number of people claiming asylum in this country has almost doubled since 2021.
And just under half of all those applying for protection in the UK are granted it at the initial decision stage – 48 per cent.
It is lower than in 2022 when 77 per cent of those applying were given the green light.
Half of all those came via irregular routes – such as on a small boat or in the back of a lorry – while 37 per cent claimed asylum after previously arriving on a valid visa.
In the year up to March, the UK was the fifth biggest recipient of asylum seekers in the UK after Germany, Spain, Italy and France.
The sky-high figures come as the number of migrants being housed in hotels has INCREASED since Labour came into power.
A total of 32,059 asylum seekers were being housed in hotels at the end of Labour’s first year in Government up 8 per cent on the same point 12 months ago.
Around 210 hotels are currently open across the UK despite Labour’s manifesto pledge to end their use.
The increase has been driven by a continued rise in small boat crossings – with more than 50,000 people coming across the Channel already this year.
In the year to June, the top five nationalities of people arriving in Dover were Afghan, Eritrean, Iranian, Syrian and Sudanese.
Almost everyone who comes on a small boat then goes on to claim asylum – with 64 per cent being granted refugee status at the initial stage.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: “This weak Labour government has allowed in record numbers of illegal immigrants over the channel, there are more immigrants in hotels than at the time of the election and fewer people are being removed.
“They are failing and need to urgently back the Conservative’s Bill that will ensure illegal immigrants and foreign criminals are all removed. This is a migration crisis – the Labour government has lost control of our borders.”
It comes as Sir Keir Starmer is facing the humiliation of Labour councils revolting against his government’s loathed migrant hotel policy.
Councils from across the political spectrum have indicated they could take legal action to close hotels in their areas.
Epping Forest council in Essex won a High Court injunction to close down The Bell Hotel which has been at the centre of protests in recent weeks.
Labour-controlled Wirral and Tamworth last night confirmed they are considering action against migrant hotels.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch issued a rallying cry to 33 Conservative councils while Reform and Lib Dem authorities are considering legal options.
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