Oxford News
Number of asylum seekers in hotels falls by 50 per cent
Dr Nuni Jorgenson from the University of Oxford said this decline is the result of faster asylum decisions.
According to Home Office figures, 16,021 asylum seekers were staying in hotels at the end of June 2026, down 50 per cent from 32,041 the previous year and the lowest level since records began in 2022.
Meanwhile, migrants continue to live in the Grenoble Road hotel with no sign from the government as to when it will be shut.
Dr Jorgenson, from the University of Oxford’s Migration Observatory, said: “In its first two years in office, the Government has made some progress on its pledge to close asylum hotels.
“It has done so by primarily making asylum decisions faster.
“That reduced the size of the initial decision backlog but shifted the problem to a new appeals backlog in the courts.
“The initial backlog is now actually relatively low, and most decisions take a few months.
“The biggest remaining challenge for the Government is now the backlog in the courts.”
The reduction in hotel use comes despite a four per cent rise in the number of asylum seekers placed in dispersal accommodation, such as privately managed houses and flats.
This figure rose from 66,234 to 69,038 over the same period.
However, the overall number of claimants receiving support fell by 12 per cent, from 106,075 to 93,293.
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The Home Office recorded an eight per cent drop in asylum-related spending, which totalled £4.36 billion in 2025-26.
This marks the second consecutive annual decline.
Home secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “A little over two years into office and the asylum backlog is down, the number of asylum seekers in hotels is falling, illegal working arrests are at record levels, and deportations and returns are up markedly.
“Small boats numbers are also now falling, but we are not complacent and there is more we must do.
“This Government is restoring control at our border and fairness to the migration system.”
The Labour Government has pledged to end the use of hotels for asylum seekers by the end of this Parliament.
An additional 13 hotels were closed earlier this month, bringing the total number in use to fewer than 160, down from a peak of around 400.
Enforced and voluntary returns of migrants who arrived in the UK via small boats reached a record high of 1,099 between April and June.
This is up from 695 in the previous quarter.
A total of 3,310 such migrants were returned in the year to June, with 40 per cent identified as Albanian nationals.
Home Office figures released on Thursday also reveal that the number of people who applied for asylum in the UK is down by 21%.
A total of 85,891 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2026 compared with 108,585 in the previous year.
The coffee dispenser at the Headington Waitrose is out of order and not for the first time according to reports, leaving customers disappointed they can no longer access their free cappuccino or flat white using their Waitrose card.
The Headington News said: “The Headington Waitrose free coffee machine is out of order again today (Saturday 29 August).”
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The notice on the machine at the store in Old High Street says: “The coffee machine is currently out of order. Apologies for the inconvenience.”
The issue is not a universal problem – coffee machines at other Waitrose stores are working well.
The Waitrose chain, owned by the John Lewis Partnership, restored its free coffee offer in January 2025.
Following outrage over the withdrawal of the offer during the pandemic, the company told the nine million members on its My Waitrose loyalty scheme they would again be entitled to a complementary americano, cappuccino, latte or tea once a day regardless of whether they bought anything – as long as they have their own reusable cup.
In a statement, Waitrose said at the time: “Some of our My Waitrose members like to have the free coffee before they shop or during the shop, rather than afterwards, so we are just offering a bit of flexibility in response to customer feedback.”
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There were queues at coffee stations and complaints from customers that the offer was attracting the “wrong type of shopper” when Waitrose introduced the perk in 2013.
In 2017, it cracked down on ‘freeloaders’ by forcing members to buy something before pouring themselves a free hot drink.
The scheme was scrapped during the Covid crisis, but reintroduced in November 2022 – again for customers making a purchases. This is no longer a requirement.
Thames Valley Police has launched an investigation after a pigeon was killed in a wildlife crime incident in Plover Drive, Oxford, at around 6.50pm on August 24.
The force said that two teenage boys used a catapult to knock a pigeon from a tree before the bird was attacked by three smaller terrier-type dogs that were with them.
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Descriptions of the two boys have been released with the first described as wearing a black sleeveless vest, dark-coloured bottoms, black trainers with white soles.
In addition he had a black-and-white flat-peaked cap worn backwards and was believed to have been carrying a catapult.
The second was reportedly wearing a light-coloured T-shirt and blue jeans, with brown, medium-length hair.
He was also seen carrying an unidentified item.
A spokesperson for the police said: “We are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed this incident or who may recognise those involved from the descriptions above.
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“We would also like to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from the Plover Drive area between 6.30pm and 7pm on 24 August that may assist our investigation.
“Wildlife crime has a real impact on our communities, and we take reports of offences against wild animals and birds seriously.
” If you have any information, please contact the force on 101 or report online, quoting reference 43260448136.”
Following the incident in North Way, Barton on Monday, August 17, Thames Valley Police said it wanted the public’s help to locate Oxford local Arthur McDonagh.
The force warned the public not to approach the 33-year-old, but instead to call the police if they see him.
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On Tuesday, August 18, a spokesperson said: “Thames Valley Police is appealing for the public’s help to locate Arthur McDonagh, aged 33, from Oxford.
“He is wanted in connection with a serious assault that happened in North Way, Barton, yesterday (August 17).
“Arthur is known to frequent the Garsington area.
“If you have any information about his whereabouts call 101 or make a report online, quoting reference 43260426989.
“If you see him, do not approach him, but instead call 999.”
Well over a week on, the police has revealed that Mr McDonagh remains at large.
The spokesperson said today (Saturday, August 29): “Arthur McDonagh remains outstanding; our enquiries are ongoing to locate him.”
During the incident emergency services were called to Barton Village Road at about 11.10am.
The force closed North Way to the junction with Edgecombe Road while officers carried out their enquiries.
A damaged white pickup truck was left in the middle of the street, surrounded by broken glass and with what appeared to be blood splattered on the rear right-hand side.
The white pickup truck could be seen behind the police cordon.
There were multiple reports of different weapons being used during the assault, but Thames Valley Police confirmed that they do not believe an axe, bat or machete were used in the attack.
But police declined to say what weapon they do believe was used in the assault.
The force confirmed a man was taken to hospital for treatment, and that he was in a stable condition, and they thanked the local community for their support.
Following the incident, Mike Rowley, Labour councillor for Barton and Sandhills, said his thoughts were with the victim and praised local officers for their response.
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He said: “My thoughts are with the victim as the incident sounds horrible.
“I am in touch with the police, but I’m not expecting any updates yet as their priority is finding the offender and making sure there aren’t any further offences.”
Appeals for public help in finding individuals by the police can relate to suspects, witnesses or others who may have vital information in relation to the incident.
They do not mean the person is to blame nor do they imply guilt.
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