Forty people who went missing as children from UK asylum hotels remain unaccounted for, according to a new report from Parliament's Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR).

The committee said 472 unaccompanied asylum-seeking children had gone missing from Home Office-run hotels, with 432 subsequently located. Two of the 40 still missing are believed to remain children, while most of the others have since turned 18.

The figures have renewed concerns about child protection, safeguarding and the treatment of unaccompanied asylum seekers. Parliamentarians have called on the Home Office to explain what specific measures are being taken to locate those still missing and to prevent similar cases.

England's Children's Commissioner Rachel de Souza described the situation as an “unacceptable failure” and urged the Government to provide greater reassurance about efforts to find the missing young people.

The Home Office said its accommodation for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children closed in January 2024 and that police, local authorities and safeguarding partners continue to work on missing-person investigations.

The report is likely to intensify scrutiny of Britain's asylum accommodation and child-safeguarding policies.