Immigration minister Robert Jenrick will give a speech to the Commons this afternoon on "the housing of asylum seekers in hotels" - as the government continues its attempts to reduce the cost of accommodation housing people waiting for a decision on their applications.

But even with 50 contracts ended, many hotels will still be in use - with reports putting this number at up to 400.

Sky News contacted the Home Office to ask for the exact figure, but was told a Freedom of Information request would need to be submitted to obtain the figure.

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The cabinet held a meeting in Downing Street this morning and ahead of the gathering, Mr Jenrick was asked by reporters if he would deal with the hotels situation today.

He replied: "I hope so."

But Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride would not be drawn on further detail during an interview with broadcasters.

He said: "Those plans will be set out in due course, but the direction of travel is very clear - that we don't believe that it is acceptable that we should be, or the taxpayer should be, paying £8m per day for hotel accommodation when there are other alternatives such as MoD sites - such as Bibby Stockholm and opportunities like that - for more appropriate housing of refugees and that's why we are looking at moving in that direction."

The government estimates about £8m is being spent each day on hotels for asylum seekers.

According to the House of Commons Library, a total of 47,500 people were in accommodation by the end of March - compared with 9,500 in October 2020.

The Conservatives have attributed this to the rise in small boat crossings in the Channel, and the fallout of the COVID pandemic.

But opposition parties say the Home Office's growing backlog of unprocessed applications is to blame.

Liberal Democrat MP and home affairs spokesperson Alistair Carmichael MP said: "This is a drop in the ocean compared to what's needed.

"Every day, millions of pounds of taxpayers' money is being spent because of the Conservative government's abject failure to tackle the backlog of asylum claims, while asylum seekers face appalling conditions."

The government has introduced a small number of alternatives to hotels in recent months, including former military bases and the Bibby Stockholm barge - the latter of which will house up to 500 male asylum seekers.

However, the rollout has not been straightforward.

Local MPs and residents have opposed these sites - and asylum seekers had to be removed from the barge following a Legionella outbreak.