The number of asylum applications in 2024 hit a record high, indicating a potential crackdown under the Labour government. With 108,138 individuals seeking asylum, this surpassed a longstanding record.
However, upon closer examination of the data, it was revealed that for the first time since 2020, more applications were denied than approved.
Despite the surge in applications, only 39,616 individuals were granted asylum in 2024, a decrease from the 63,000 granted under the previous Conservative government.
However, other asylum-related statistics paint a less favorable picture for Labour. One concerning issue is the number of asylum seekers placed in hotels and temporary accommodations.
Police outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Hull during the riots
This issue is significant for two main reasons. Firstly, it has sparked public outrage, as evidenced by incidents during the August riots where hotels hosting asylum seekers were targeted and set on fire.
Secondly, the financial implications are substantial. A staggering £4.2 billion was spent on accommodating asylum seekers in hotels in 2023, representing 28% of the UK’s foreign aid budget. As foreign aid is being reduced to allocate funds towards defense, reducing these costs is crucial for optimizing financial resources.
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In the first six months of the Labour government, the asylum numbers have risen. However, this increase has led to a growing asylum backlog, with 90,698 individuals awaiting asylum decisions since Labour came into power.
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The government can take some solace in the fact that the backlog has decreased by 7% over the past three months.
Another area of concern that Labour has vowed to address is the issue of small boats. Departing from the Conservative «Stop the Boats» policy, Labour has adopted a «Smash the Gangs» approach.
Despite this shift, the gangs remain intact, as the number of individuals arriving on small boats in 2024 increased by 25% compared to 2023, albeit a decrease from 2022.
However, small boat arrivals and asylum seekers, while significant, represent only a fraction of the broader immigration landscape, which is primarily driven by legal migration.
In this regard, Labour has maintained much of the Conservative policies, including restrictions on visa holders bringing dependents and raising salary thresholds for workers.
The overall trend in immigration points towards a gradual decline, although the numbers remain higher than those in 2019.
