Jump to content

Aid Budget Strained as Asylum Hotel Costs Surge Amidst Overseas Cuts


Recommended Posts

Posted

image.png

 

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.

 

image.png  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Independent  2025-06-14

 

 

newsletter-banner-1.png

  • Haha 2
Posted
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.

 

 

  • Like 2
  • Thumbs Down 3
Posted

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. :coffee1:

  • Like 2
Posted
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. :coffee1:

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. 

  • Love It 1
  • Thumbs Up 1
  • Thumbs Down 1
Posted

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”.

  • Thumbs Up 1
  • Thumbs Down 5
Posted
On 6/14/2025 at 4:03 AM, Social Media said:

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.

 

I thought they didn't get any benefits? I guess free accomodation in a hotel is not a benefit?

 

Oh what a minute, it was Chomper who said that.

 

image.png.a9c9dd134f7d668a9b7bd1692ba4e5b3.png

 

 

  • Like 1
Posted
21 hours ago, Red Forever said:

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”.

 

They are all breaking the law by crossing the Channel illegally and breaking the law by landing on UK shores without having leave to do so.

 

That makes them not only Illegal but also criminals.

 

Another 900 landed on Friday. Another approx £ 45 million spunked up a wall.

  • Like 1
Posted

Exact same as US. See any patterns here??

 

You'd have to be a real knob to support any of this.

 

Starmer doughboy gotta go

  • Agree 2
Posted
On 6/14/2025 at 11:24 AM, Hanaguma said:

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. 

“ the Pierres” 

Makes sense 

Posted

Giving people benefits is the same as asking them to come.  There is no deterrent to this invasion.  The current UK gov't is hopeless and complicit.  The past gov'ts were similar.

  • Haha 1

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.


×
×
  • Create New...