Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the data, methodology, privacy, and platform usage.
Where does your data come from?
All spending figures come from official UK government sources: National Audit Office reports, Home Office publications, parliamentary records, and ONS data. We also reference verified journalism from BBC, Reuters, The Guardian, and Sky News. Every figure links to its original source. See the full list on our Data Sources page.
How accurate is the live spending counter?
It is an estimate. We take the most recent verified annual spending figure (£11.8 billion for 2024/25) and divide by the number of seconds in a year. It represents the rate of spending, not a live feed from government accounts. Official figures are published quarterly or annually, so there may be a lag. Full calculation on the Methodology page.
What does "£170 per person per day" mean?
The average daily cost of housing one asylum seeker in hotel accommodation during 2024/25, as reported by the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford. It covers the hotel room, meals, and basic support. Actual cost varies by hotel and contract.
Are the alternative spending comparisons fair?
They are illustrative. We use verified unit costs from NHS and ONS data to show what the same sum could theoretically fund (nurses, GP appointments, houses, etc). Government budgets have complex constraints and the money cannot necessarily be directly reallocated. The comparisons provide scale, not policy recommendations.
How are hotel locations verified?
Official locations come from government publications and NAO contract data. Community submitted locations are marked "pending" until verified against independent sources. Verified locations carry a badge. The voting system also helps: upvotes confirm a location is active, downvotes flag outdated data.
Can anyone add a location?
Yes, with a verified account. Sign up, verify your email, then use the "Add Location" button on the map. Submissions start as "pending" until reviewed. See How It Works for the full process.
Do you track personal data?
We use essential cookies for security and advertising cookies (Google AdSense) to fund the platform. No personal data is sold or shared. Location contributions are anonymous and voluntary. Full details in our Privacy Policy.
Why do some hotels show different cost figures?
Costs vary by location, contract terms, and occupancy. Where we have specific per hotel data from official sources, we use it. Otherwise we estimate using the average daily rate multiplied by bed count. Estimates are labelled as such.
How often is the data updated?
We monitor government publications, NAO reports, and parliamentary questions regularly. When new official data is released, figures are updated and the change is noted. Major methodology changes are documented on the Methodology page.
I found an error. How do I report it?
Email contact@migrantsnearme.com with the specific figure, where you found it, and a link to the correct source if possible.
Is this site affiliated with any political party?
No. Migrant Hotel Tracker is independent. We are not affiliated with any political party, campaign group, or government department. The goal is to present publicly available data clearly so citizens can form their own views.
Can I use this data in my own work?
Yes. All data is sourced from public documents. You are welcome to reference the analysis and link back. Journalists and researchers can contact contact@migrantsnearme.com for additional context.
Contact
For corrections or enquiries: contact@migrantsnearme.com