Small boat arrival figures: Govt promised to end hotel use and reduce spending - yet still has no credible plan

EMBARGO: Immediate release

Responding to the latest figures, that reveals small boat arrivals in the year ending September 2025 were 53% more than in the year ending September 2024, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Max Wilkinson MP said:

"While net migration is down, these figures show that the Government still needs to get a grip on small boat arrivals and the use of asylum hotels. The OBR has warned that, without action, taxpayers face more than £1 billion of extra pressure on the Home Office budget before the end of this Parliament.

"The Government promised to end hotel use and reduce spending - yet still has no credible plan to do so.

"The Liberal Democrats have set out a clear plan to cut the backlog and end hotel use within six months, using Nightingale-style processing centres. We would also lift the ban on asylum seekers working so they can support themselves, integrate and pay taxes."

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

Figures can be found here.