The number of asylum seekers supported in Eastbourne borough has risen from one to 50, while Wealden district has seen a huge leap from one to 55.
This is according to immigration system statistics from the Home Office, which show the number of asylum seekers in receipt of support by local authorities from 2014 up to March 2025.
There are various different ways a local authority can support asylum seekers.
One is ‘subsistence only’ support, a form of financial assistance given to asylum seekers who have their own accommodation but need help with essential living costs like food, clothing, and toiletries.
‘Dispersal accommodation’ refers to the long-term, self-catered housing provided to asylum seekers.
This accommodation is intended to be a more stable and independent living situation than the initial accommodation provided at the start of the asylum process.
In some cases, the Home Office may use ‘contingency accommodation’, like hotels or large-scale sites, to house asylum seekers.
This can happen when there is not enough space in standard accommodation or when dealing with a large influx of asylum seekers.
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Protestors in 2024 outside a hotel in Crawley housing asylum seekers (Image: Sussex News and Pictures) Here is the how the number of asylum seekers being supported by local authorities in East Sussex has changed over the past decade.
Eastbourne
The earliest data for Eastbourne borough comes from March 2014. At that time, there was only one asylum seeker receiving ‘subsistence only’ support.
By March 2025, this had risen to a total of 50 asylum seekers receiving support – 42 in dispersal accommodation, and eight receiving ‘subsistence only’ support.
Hastings
The data from Hastings borough also dates back to March 2014, at which time there were 58 asylum seekers being supported – one of who was receiving ‘subsistence only’ support, while the other 57 were in dispersal accommodation.
By March 2025, there were 66 asylum seekers receiving support – 64 in dispersal accommodation, two receiving ‘subsistence only’ support.
Lewes
The earliest data from Lewes district comes from March 2015, at which time there were three asylum seekers receiving ‘subsistence only’ support.
This figure was exactly the same in March 2025.
Wealden
The earliest data from Wealden District comes from September 2014, at which time there was one asylum seeker receiving ‘subsistence only’ support.
By March 2024, this had leaped to 55 asylum seekers living in contingency hotel accommodation.
Rother
The earliest data from Rother district also comes from September 2014, at which time there was one asylum seeker receiving ‘subsistence only’ support.
This figure was exactly the same in September 2023, the latest data available for Rother district.