The Government is now spending almost £7 million a day housing asylum seekers in hotels - and the cost could continue to rise, MPs heard. The Commons Home Affairs Committee was told £5.6 million a day was being spent on hotels for people who have arrived in the UK and have submitted a claim, with an additional £1.2 million paid to house Afghan refugees who fled the Taliban takeover while long-term accommodation is sought.
The total £6.8 million is over £2 million more than the Government said it was spending in February (£4.7 million). Asked by committee chairwoman Dame Diana Johnson if the cost was likely to go up again, Abi Tierney, director general of the passport office and UK visas and immigration, replied: “Yes.”
During the wide-ranging session, MPs also learned the Home Office has only processed 4% of asylum claims by migrants who crossed the Channel last year. Officials admitted the interception rate made by French police, of migrants attempting the journey has fallen.
