Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s promise to “smash the gangs” behind illegal migration and stop using hotels to house asylum seekers by 2029 may not succeed, according to a blunt warning from the UK’s independent chief inspector of borders and immigration, David Bolt. Speaking before Parliament’s Justice and Home Affairs Committee, Bolt gave a clear and serious assessment of the real issues facing Britain’s immigration system — and why the government’s bold promises may be hard to keep.
During the committee meeting, Bolt explained that there is a severe housing shortage in the UK, making it nearly impossible to move asylum seekers out of hotels any time soon. Despite Labour’s pledge to phase out hotels, Bolt said, “I don’t think it will be achieved, frankly.” He added that the country’s current housing system simply does not have enough homes to handle the rising number of people seeking asylum. This is especially true as many local councils are not able or willing to take in more migrants.
The problem is made worse by a growing number of rejected asylum cases, which has caused a sharp increase in appeals. These appeals keep people in the asylum system longer, meaning thousands remain in limbo without proper housing. Bolt described the system as overloaded and difficult to fix even during the full term of Parliament.
Downing Street responded quickly, rejecting Bolt’s comments. A spokesperson for the Prime Minister insisted that the government is still focused on “restoring grip” on the asylum process and promised again that hotels would no longer be used to house migrants. But facts on the ground show that more than 18,000 migrants have already crossed the English Channel in 2025, breaking previous records — and putting more pressure on housing and asylum processing.
Starmer has vowed to “smash the gangs” that organize illegal Channel crossings. But Bolt doesn’t believe this approach will be enough. In fact, he told MPs he had written to ministers expressing doubts, saying the government may not be going after the root of the problem. “The real challenge is to change the risk and reward for the people who run these smuggling operations,” he said. “Right now, they face low risks, low costs, and make high profits.”
Bolt also warned that these criminal networks are smart and often find ways to move or shift their operations, even if cracked down on in one area. “With organized crime, the best you can do is push them toward something less harmful. You can’t expect to completely destroy them,” he said. He did, however, say that the new Border Security Command has brought focus to the issue and confirmed that the team will be inspected later this year.
Another big problem Bolt raised is the illegal employment of asylum seekers. Many migrants who are waiting for decisions on their asylum claims end up taking cash jobs without permission, especially in delivery and fast-food work. Investigations by both the Daily Express and The Sun showed that asylum seekers were working for companies like Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat just hours after arriving in the UK — often leaving from hotels in central London late at night with branded delivery bags.
Bolt believes this kind of illegal work is a strong pull factor, attracting more migrants who hope to earn money quickly. “We need to look at why people choose to come here in the first place,” he said. “The availability of illegal work plays a huge part in that.”
Following the reports, Downing Street confirmed that border security minister Dame Angela Eagle would meet with food delivery companies to tackle the issue. A government spokesperson said: “We will not stand for this racket. These loopholes are being abused, and it must stop.”
Despite strong promises and tough words from the government, Bolt’s warning paints a different picture. The lack of housing, rising appeals, and illegal work opportunities all continue to fuel the UK’s migrant crisis. If not addressed properly, Starmer’s bold plans may fail — leaving thousands of asylum seekers in legal and living uncertainty for years to come.