The UK Home Office has warned that single adult male asylum seekers who refuse to move from hotels into "suitable alternative accommodation" may face eviction and potential

homelessness. This forms part of a new “Failure to Travel” policy, aimed at curbing what the government calls abuse of the asylum system.

According to officials, hundreds of asylum seekers are declining weekly transfers from hotels to other accommodations, even as the government tries to reduce its reliance on hotels.

The number of asylum seekers in hotels surged after 2020, peaking at over 50,000 in 2023. As of March 2025, that number has dropped to 32,345. The government aims to end the use of hotels for asylum housing by 2029 and is encouraging transitions to less expensive options.

Recent protests outside The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, where asylum seekers are housed, reflect local tensions over the issue.

The new guidance issued to caseworkers states that those refusing to relocate will receive a written five-day notice. Continued refusal may lead to eviction and the loss of financial support—currently around £49.18 per week per person, which covers basic needs like food and clothing.

Asylum seekers generally are not allowed to work while their claims are being processed.

Border Security and Asylum Minister Dame Angela Eagle said the measure is part of broader efforts to reform the asylum system and reduce taxpayer costs. A similar approach was used previously in relation to the Bibby Stockholm accommodation barge.

Liberal Democrat MP Lisa Smart welcomed the move to end hotel use but called for deeper reforms. She urged the government to improve international cooperation to curb Channel crossings and to lift the ban on asylum seekers working, which could reduce reliance on public support.