Dear Ed,

I am writing to inform you that I have become aware of the unscheduled release of an internal Home Office figure that appears similar to an upcoming official statistic from our Asylum Seeker Hotel Population Statistics series.

Despite not being released publicly through formal channels, a figure for the number of asylum seekers in hotels “this month” was quoted in two newspapers on Thursday 16 April:

1. The Daily Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/04/14/labour-move-10000-hotel-migrants-into-communities/
2. The Daily Express: https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2194138/labour-migrants-hotels-close-most-remain-open

The figure quoted was 20,800, “down by a third since December” (30,657). Other figures and Home Office contributions were also included in these articles, but arose from appropriate sources. At the time of writing this figure has not seen significant re-use beyond the above, although it has been picked up by a very small number of news aggregator websites.

Figures in this series are released quarterly, with the last release being of data as of the end of December 2025, published in February 2026. Our next, already pre-announced update to this series is scheduled for Thursday 21 May 2026.

I should be clear that the figure of 20,800 does not appear to be a regular official statistic in its final form. For example, the figure is rounded, when our usual estimates are unrounded. However, my main concern here in raising this matter is that it could be confused as being part our regular statistical series by users and thus – in line with relevant guidance – I believe this should be viewed as a breach of the Code of Practice for Statistics.

At the time of these articles being published, Home Office statisticians were not in possession of the required data to calculate the above figure. Work is already underway to understand the circumstances around the figure’s unscheduled release.

My team and I have had to consider whether to follow the above with our own orderly ad-hoc release of an estimate for this time point. After reviewing relevant guidance and consulting colleagues in the UK Statistics Authority – amidst the current absence of a National Statistician – I have concluded that an ad hoc release is not necessary. This is particularly noting:

1. that the scheduled release of the actual Home Office official statistic is now relatively soon – scheduled for Thursday 21 May
2. that there has not been significant re-use of the figure – for example, other news outlets have published stories on this topic whilst still referring to our last end of December 2025 estimate

I intend to keep particularly point (2) above under review, as I recognise this is a situation that could quickly change.

In addition to informing you of this matter via this letter I will arrange for an associated note to be placed on the ‘Statistics at Home Office’ website accessible via GOV.UK.

Yours sincerely,

John Wilkins

Chief Statistician, Home Office