Sir Matthew Rycroft, the Home Office’s permanent secretary, told MPs that the department’s aim was to “get to zero” asylum hotels being used by the end of this parliament, but that “ups and downs” might affect that promise.
Labour has ramped up efforts to clear the backlog of asylum cases that they inherited from the previous government, hoping that an increased number of decisions will reduce demand for Home Office hotels.
Home Office aiming for zero asylum hotels by ‘end of this parliament’ as work continues to clear claims backlog.
Dame Angela Eagle, a Home Office minister, blamed the “unholy mess” of an asylum claims backlog left by the Conservatives for the new hotels opening.
Speaking to MPs this month, Sir Matthew said: “Ministers will want to keep the committee and parliament updated on the total numbers, which have fallen from over 400 to 218, but I do not think you should expect a gradual decline of that number down to zero neatly by the end of this parliament.
