Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, in relation to the first 12 months of costs for (1) refugees, and (2) asylum seekers, what was the cost incurred for the first six months of this calendar year; and what estimate they have made of the costs incurred for the second six months of this calendar year.

The significant increase in dangerous journeys across the Channel is placing unprecedented strain on our asylum system and it has made it necessary to continue to use hotels to accommodate some asylum seekers. The use of hotels is a short-term solution and we are working hard with local authorities to find appropriate accommodation.

There are currently more than 37,000 asylum seekers in hotels costing the UK taxpayer £5.6 million a day. Occupancy levels vary and the number of people flowing through contingency hotel accommodation in any one month is not recorded.