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Written question asked by Baroness Buscombe (Conservative) on Monday, 9 February 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 23 February 2026. It was answered by Lord Hanson of Flint (Labour) on Monday, 23 February 2026 on behalf of the Home Office.

Asylum: Temporary Accommodation

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government how many asylum seekers have absconded from Home Office accommodation since 5 July 2024; and how many of them have subsequently been located.

Answer

The information requested is not currently available from published statistics.

Official statistics published by the Home Office are kept under review in line with the code of practice for statistics, taking into account a number of factors including user needs, the resources required to compile the statistics, as well as quality and availability of data.

There is a difference between Asylum Seekers who leave Home Office provided accommodation while their claim is pending and an absconder. Those who leave accommodation may be deemed as missing from that particular location but are not automatically considered as ‘absconders’ as they may remain in contact with the Home Office whilst their claim is processed.

Absconders are individuals who have breached one or more conditions of their immigration bail and all efforts to contact the person have been exhausted.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL14413
Session
2024-26
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Asylum Temporary accommodation
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk