UK Aid Budget Strained as Asylum Hotel Costs Surge Amidst Overseas Cuts

[Social Media]

 

Aid Budget Strained as Asylum Hotel Costs Surge Amidst Overseas Cuts

 

A growing share of the UK’s overseas aid budget is being funneled into hotel accommodation for asylum-seekers, sparking alarm among charities and development organizations. They warn that the rising expenditure not only drains essential funds from life-saving global initiatives but also endangers the welfare of those seeking refuge.

 

According to the latest government figures, nearly a quarter of the overseas aid budget will be consumed by asylum housing costs in the UK next year. This marks an increase from 21 per cent in 2024/25 to 23 per cent, even as the overall aid budget is being slashed. The result, campaigners argue, is a severe erosion of the UK's ability to support global health programs and combat extreme poverty abroad.

 

During her spending review announcement to MPs, Chancellor Rachel Reeves acknowledged the financial burden of the current asylum accommodation system, stating that the government aims to end the "costly" use of hotels for asylum-seekers by July 2029. These accommodations are currently funded from the overseas aid budget. However, Reeves also confirmed that any savings made by ending hotel use will not be redirected into overseas aid, due to a change in funding rules.

 

The financial squeeze is already evident. “Not only is Keir Starmer the first Labour Prime Minister on record not to increase aid spending, but he is on course to deliver the most severe cut to aid investment in other countries in decades – going further than Thatcher, Major, Johnson or Sunak ever did,” said Adrian Lovett, executive director of the ONE Campaign, an anti-poverty charity focusing on Africa.

 

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government has upheld plans to reduce aid spending from 0.5 per cent to 0.3 per cent of the UK’s gross national income (GNI), a decision that translates into a staggering 40 per cent drop in funding. Critics argue this undermines Britain’s role in tackling the root causes of global health crises, including efforts to finance vaccines and treatments for diseases like HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria.

 

Meanwhile, domestic use of the aid budget is facing increasing scrutiny. Refugee Action, a charity that supports asylum-seekers, has described the housing system as a “disaster.” Asli Tatliadim, the group’s head of campaigns, said, “The cost to the taxpayer has skyrocketed and money stripped from the [aid] budget while people seeking safety have been put in properties that are segregated and threaten their health.”

 

Tatliadim emphasized that asylum-seekers should instead be offered safer, more affordable accommodation integrated within communities, rather than isolated hotels. The charity warns that the current system not only fails refugees but also compromises the integrity and intended purpose of the UK’s international aid.

 

As spending priorities shift and global commitments shrink, many fear that the consequences will be felt both at home and across developing nations that rely heavily on UK support.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Independent  2025-06-14

 

 

[blaze master]

Does anyone know if there is a surge in money going to British people as well ?

 

5 minutes ago, Social Media said:

Refugee Action, a charity that supports asylum-seekers, has described the housing system as a “disaster.”

 

How is the housing situation for British citizens ?

[Chomper Higgot]

27 minutes ago, blaze master said:

Does anyone know if there is a surge in money going to British people as well ?

 

 

How is the housing situation for British citizens ?

Yes there is a surge of money going to British people, massive increases to spending on social and low cost housing, spending, the NHS, education, infrastructure, defense.

 

This is discussed elsewhere in the forum and widely reported in the news.

 

 

[blaze master]

7 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Yes there is a surge of money going to British people, massive increases to spending on social and low cost housing, spending, the NHS, education, infrastructure, defense.

 

This is discussed elsewhere in the forum and widely reported in the news.

 

 

 

Amazing then. 

[Chomper Higgot]

11 minutes ago, blaze master said:

 

Amazing then. 

Not at all amazing.

 

It’s a Labour Government delivering on its manifesto.

 

 

 

[blaze master]

12 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Not at all amazing.

 

It’s a Labour Government delivering on its manifesto.

 

 

 

 

Ok.

[loong]

4 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Yes there is a surge of money going to British people, massive increases to spending on social and low cost housing, spending, the NHS, education, infrastructure, defense.

 

This is discussed elsewhere in the forum and widely reported in the news.

 

 

 

That's good. So the low-cost housing will be solely for British citizens, and none will be allocated to illegal immigrants. Sorry, but I'll believe that when I see it.

[Thingamabob]

Illegal immigrants in the UK are given many benefits which is why they keep on coming. It would have been good to hear the Chancellor address this issue.

[Gsxrnz]

For 10% of the hotel costs they could pay for an expeditionary force to occupy the entire French coast and strongly dissuade the foreign invaders from launching their landing craft. 

 

But preventing the invaders from leaving French soil isn't on the agenda of Labour or the Conservatives. In fact, quite the opposite. 

[Hanaguma]

1 hour ago, Gsxrnz said:

For 10% of the hotel costs they could pay for an expeditionary force to occupy the entire French coast and strongly dissuade the foreign invaders from launching their landing craft. 

 

But preventing the invaders from leaving French soil isn't on the agenda of Labour or the Conservatives. In fact, quite the opposite. 

No need to invade to stop the boats. How about just turning them back? Or tow them back? Then let the Pierres deal with them. 

[CanadaSam]

Good God, exactly how much more black/brown does the UK have to get, before they stop all immigration, especially of so-called refugees???

 

And putting them in hotels???  Do you have any idea of what conditions they were living in before they got to the UK?  How about tents???

 

Madness!

[Red Forever]

Mention of “illegal (they’re not) immigrants” and the gormless gammon are frothing.

Posters comments are just like an online version of Wetherspoons (UK pub chain) “discussions”.

[Magictoad]

The hotels are owned by millionaires; guess where from?

[Photoguy21]

11 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Yes there is a surge of money going to British people, massive increases to spending on social and low cost housing, spending, the NHS, education, infrastructure, defense.

 

This is discussed elsewhere in the forum and widely reported in the news.

 

 

If you listen closely to Rachel from Accounts the money spent on housing is most likely going to house illegals. All the cash is not really going to be realised until the next election period and in order to get the cash it is a strong possibility that more taxes will be imposed on the British people.