Published by The Future Governance Forum with contributions from Nesta, Labour Together, the Refugee Council and housing expert Kate Wareing, Restoring Order and Reducing Costs puts forward a three step plan for the government to end use of asylum hotels by 2026, three years earlier than its current timetable. If implemented, the plan could deliver savings of between £3 and £5 billion for the Exchequer.
The report sets out a three step plan:
- People seeking asylum from countries like Sudan where grant rates are high would get limited leave to remain, while their asylum claim is considered where relevant. That would give them the right to work and further reduce the need for state support, while not providing a guarantee of indefinite stay.
- An expanded ‘Homes for Ukraine’-style scheme would be set up for security‑vetted asylum seekers awaiting their decisions, with people hosting newcomers in their homes.
- Generating £3-5 billion savings from measures one and two, the government could then fund community improvements and new homes. A new £1 billion fund would improve communities that previously had asylum hotel accommodation in their area. The second fund would re-invest £1.75 billion of savings from hotels in 14,000-16,000 new warm, energy‑efficient homes to boost the overall availability of temporary accommodation and ease pressure on use of hotels for asylum seekers and local homeless families.
The report is the latest in FGF’s ‘Future of Asylum’ project. It follows a report launched in May on how the government can reduce dangerous small boat crossings by diverting asylum seekers into safe, legal routes, and an essay collection published in September with leading progressive voices setting out bold ideas for the future of the asylum system.