LINTON ON OUSE - A MINIMUM COST OF £423.29 PER ASYLUM SEEKER PER NIGHT

When Andy Burnham says “we’re saving money closing hotels” – he was talking about 5 Star London hotels wasn’t he?

Linton-on-Ouse, UK - 18 August 2026 - A new report reveals that the proposed asylum centre at the former RAF Linton-on-Ouse is, quite simply, a huge financial miscalculation.

With initial operating costs projected at a staggering £403.4 million, over the next three years, the plan is set to burden UK taxpayers with exorbitant expenses that do not align with responsible fiscal management.

Despite the Home Office's aspirations for a cost-effective solution, projections indicate that the Linton centre would incur a minimum cost of £423.29 per asylum seeker per night, and under realistic operational conditions, this figure balloons to £527.81 per night. This is the type of holiday budget most UK residents dream of for a family of 4 not just one person!

These costs far exceed the Home Office's expected baseline of £141 per night for large accommodation sites, not to mention the  average costs of established accommodations which range from £23.25 to £144.98 per night from HMO and shared houses to hotels.

The fiscal reality is stark:

• £403.4 million total cost over three years
• £527.81 per person, per night under realistic scenarios

History also informs this warning. Previous attempts to establish an asylum centre at Linton-on-Ouse resulted in a £2.9 million loss in unrecoverable setup fees—it’s clear that this site has not proven to be financially viable in the past and is unlikely to succeed in the future.

Bizarrely enough, it is the exact same companies employed to assess the site for suitability as in 2022 so if they found it suitable now after 4 years of further deterioration, why was it not in 2022 when it was in better condition? Are they indeed qualified to make such a call or do they just report back on what the Home Office want to hear – a bit like the appointment of Lord Mandelson. 

Moreover, the real costs are likely to be disguised by the Home Office’s lack of transparency, which has raised significant concerns among the National Audit Office and the Home Affairs Committee. The anticipation that the Home Office will divert costs to local services, like healthcare and emergency services, further compounds the issue.

"Spending 403 million on the RAF Linton-on-Ouse site would be an insane decision and a false economy", said Professor Olga Matthias.  She continued "the projected costs simply do not match the standard of care required for asylum seekers, nor do they represent an effective use of taxpayer funds with the cost per night being much higher than any other alternative. Most people could only dream of having a budget per night of £527 to pay bills especially in this cost-of-living crisis"

“Yes, solutions need to be found but in areas with existing infrastructure and asylum services where the huge investment for refitting, upgrading water, electric and sewage infrastructure, is not required”.

Instead of proceeding with a plan that is bound to repeat the financial failures of prior projects, stakeholders urge the Home Office to review more reasonable and economically sound alternative accommodation solutions that better utilise existing resources.

The Home Office needs to start prioritising transparency and responsible financial planning, so taxpayer funds are utilised efficiently and effectively, aligning with both moral and economic expectations.

If you are a journalist, and want a detailed copy of the financial report then please email us at lintonactiongrouppr@gmail.com