Hillingdon tops UK asylum seeker accommodation rates

Hillingdon is now identified as the UK's top asylum seeker hotspot, with 97 asylum seekers per 10,000 residents. The total number of asylum seekers in the UK has reached 109,100, with many housed in hotels, costing taxpayers nearly £3 billion annually. The distribution of asylum seekers is uneven, with 59 local authorities accommodating none. Critics express concerns about safety and the strain on local resources, particularly in areas with high concentrations of asylum seekers. In 2024, over 108,000 individuals applied for asylum, the highest number recorded. The Home Office aims to improve the distribution of asylum accommodation and reduce reliance on hotels, but no specific timeline has been set for these changes.