Summary
UK asylum claims decreased by 4% in 2025, despite a 13% rise in people arriving by small boats. The majority of these boat arrivals came from countries like Eritrea and Afghanistan. The government is moving more asylum seekers from hotels to longer-term housing as part of their plans.
Key Facts
- Asylum claims in the UK fell by 4% in 2025.
- Small boat arrivals increased by 13% to 41,262 people.
- 89% of illegal arrivals came by small boats.
- 19% fewer asylum seekers are housed in hotels, with 30,657 still in hotels.
- More than 72,000 asylum seekers now live in longer-term housing.
- The government plans to close asylum hotels by 2029, using larger sites instead.
- Main nationalities arriving by small boats include Eritreans, Afghans, Iranians, Sudanese, and Somalis.
- The backlog of asylum claims awaiting decisions decreased to 64,426.
