Small-boat migrants must stay in three-star hotels as a minimum, new Home Office contract says as costs soar

23 September 2023, 13:27 | Updated: 23 September 2023, 19:54

Small-boat migrants must stay in three star hotels as a minimum, the Home Office has said
Small-boat migrants must stay in three star hotels as a minimum, a new Home Office contract says. Picture: Getty
Kieran Kelly

By Kieran Kelly

Small-boat migrants must stay in three-star hotels as a minimum, a new Home Office contract says, as housing costs soar to £8million per day.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

A contract issued by Suella Braverman's department highlights a "mandatory requirement" for hotels where migrants will stay.

It reads: "Contracted venues should be at least a minimum of three stars."

It is not yet clear how many hotels housing migrants are involved in this contract, The Telegraph reports.

The Home Office has said there are multiple contracts, with others not decreeing a minimum star requirement.

There are separate contracts for different hotels, the Home Office has said
There are separate contracts for different hotels, the Home Office has said. Picture: Getty

It comes after it was revealed the cost of housing migrants in hotels has risen to £8million per day.

The new figure puts the total annual spending on housing migrants in hotels at more than £3bn a year.

That is despite Suella Braverman saying on Monday that the cost was £6million per day in the Commons.

Read More: Home Office paying £8m a day on migrant hotels, accounts reveal - one day after Home Secretary said bill was £6m

Read More: Migrants at 'prison-like' Brook House detention centre abused by guards, with inquiry calling for 'wholesale' change

“We need to stop the boats to relieve the unsustainable pressure on our asylum system and accommodation services, which is costing over £3 billion a year,” a new report states.

“The Illegal Migration Act will ensure anyone arriving illegally can be detained and swiftly removed, so that people know they cannot skip the queue by coming here illegally.

“This goes further than ever before to do what is necessary to fix the issue, but legislative changes take time and there is no single silver bullet.

“In the meantime, we must take action to address the unacceptable costs of housing migrants in hotels which is costing the taxpayer around £8 million a day.”

Suella Braverman
Suella Braverman. Picture: Getty

Housing migrants in hotels has increased as the number of asylum claims in the UK has hit record levels.

The government has a legal obligation to provide asylum seekers with basic accommodation while their claims are being processed.

However, a backlog in previous unprocessed claims and the increase in the number of asylum seekers has delayed this, resulting in an increased use of hotels.

The government’s controversial Rwanda scheme was announced last year as part of its effort to tackle the number of asylum seekers in the UK.

“This is why we’ve got to get migrants out of hotels and stop the boats. We’re confident our Rwanda scheme, which is awaiting a judgment from the supreme court, will break the people smugglers’ business model,” a government source said.

A Home Office spokesperson said: "The vast majority of hotels used to house asylum seekers do not have a minimum star requirement and we remain committed to ending the use of expensive hotels.

"That is why we are moving people into alternative, cheaper accommodation, doubling up in hotel rooms, and clearing the legacy backlog.

“Through the Illegal Migration Act, this government will also go further by ensuring that anyone arriving in the UK illegally is detained and swiftly removed to their country of origin or a safe third country.”

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Social media footage showed a man being kicked on the ground by his knife-wielding attacker.

Two charged by police after shock footage shows man kicked and spat at by knifeman after ‘burning Koran’ in London

Jannik Sinner

World tennis number one Jannik Sinner handed three-month ban for doping

Keith Edun, 47, used the messaging app “Kik” to spread vile images of children

Predator who encouraged man to rape a baby after sharing vile images of children online is jailed for 21 years

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during the 61st Munich Security Conference on February 15, 2025 in Munich, Germany.

Zelenskyy calls for creation of ‘European army’ as he warns Russia 'will pull Europe apart' if not defeated

The woman who said she was raped by rappers and business moguls Jay-Z and Sean "Diddy" Combs in 2000, when she was 13, has dropped her civil lawsuit against both men.

Woman who accused Jay-Z and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs of raping her when she was 13 drops lawsuit

Liam Payne died last Wednesday.

One Direction star Liam Payne was 'sectioned' after near-fatal overdose months before death, close friend claims

Hamas hands over 3 Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip to Red Cross

Israeli hostages paraded on stage before being freed - as four Palestinian prisoners released in 'critical condition'

uk british national lottery euromillions ticket with picks

Winning numbers revealed as single UK EuroMillions ticket holder scoops massive £65million Valentine’s Day jackpot

The Three Horseshoes pub in Knockholt

Manhunt launched after woman seriously injured at village pub in Valentine's Day 'shooting'

Rob and Lindsey Burrow a few weeks before he died

Rob Burrow's wife reveals heartbreaking moment she knew rugby league star 'couldn't go on' with MND struggle

Axel Rudakubana will be 'target number one' in prison

Southport killer Axel Rudakubana's sentence won't be referred to Court of Appeal despite claims it's 'unduly lenient'

The damaged shield

'Risk of radioactive leak' after Russian 'high explosive' drone hits Chernobyl, causing 'significant damage'

The fire broke out at the Chiltern Firehouse

Fire engulfs celebrity haunt Chiltern Firehouse as 100 evacuated from luxury hotel

Trump confirms he will meet Starmer in Washington 'in the next few weeks'

Trump to meet with Starmer in Washington 'in the next few weeks' - as JD Vance slams Europe in fiery speech

Both Meghan and Kate shared Valentine's pictures

Harry and Meghan share sweet Valentine's photo after William and Kate also post romantic picture

Jaden Sheriff.

Man found guilty of killing ex-girlfriend's neighbour over 'blue balls', sentenced to life imprisonment