Elected Member Briefing Note 2025, No. 91
About this Briefing Note
Report by: Stefan Morkis, Team Leader, Communications
EMBN Number: 091-25
Date: 25 July 2025
Subject: Asylum seeker numbers
Details
Purpose
This Briefing Note provides information on asylum seekers in Perth.
Briefing Information
The Home Office has confirmed there are no plans to increase the number of asylum seekers being accommodated in Perth, contrary to claims being made on social media.
Posts have been shared by Tayside residents claiming an additional 250 asylum seekers would be sent to Perth, along with similar increases in Dundee and around the country. These claims are incorrect and not accompanied by any sources.
Hotels in Perth have been providing accommodation for asylum seekers since November 2021. Initially, only 40 asylum seekers were accommodated in Perth and this rose to 128 in subsequent months. It was announced in 2023 this figure could increase to 250. However, that number has never been reached.
The current number of asylum seekers stands in Perth at 191.
People are classified as asylum seekers when the move to a different country to seek international protection.
Asylum seekers are moved to initial accommodation, such as a hotel, while their application for asylum support is processed.
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