Asylum questions, answered

The questions people ask most about the UK asylum system, each answered in a paragraph with the latest official figure, its date and its source. The answers rewrite themselves when the Home Office or the Ministry of Justice publishes new data.

How many

How many asylum seekers are in the UK?93,293on asylum support, 30 June 2026Read the answer →How many asylum seekers are waiting for a decision?40,168waiting for a first decision, 30 June 2026Read the answer →

Hotels, support and cost

How many asylum hotels are there in the UK?Under 160asylum hotels in use, 12 August 2026Read the answer →How much does an asylum hotel cost per night?£199per person per night in a hotel, April 2026Read the answer →How much do asylum seekers get a week?£49.18a week per person, standard asylum supportRead the answer →

Arrivals

How many small boats have crossed the Channel in 2026?20,935small boat arrivals, 1 January to 8 October 2026Read the answer →

Decisions and appeals

What is the UK asylum grant rate?38%granted at initial decision, 2025 Q3 to 2026 Q2Read the answer →How long does an asylum appeal take?72 weeksaverage time to clear an asylum appeal, April to June 2026Read the answer →

Looking for the investigations behind these numbers? Read the research and findings, or look up any local authority.