Did the UK Really Clear Its Asylum Backlog? PM’s Claims Face Backlash!
The Home Office claims to have successfully cleared its asylum backlog, but critics argue that the government is manipulating the figures. Tens of thousands of migrants have been housed in government-requisitioned hotels while awaiting initial decisions on their refugee status claims. A year ago, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged to process 92,000 “legacy” applications by the end of 2023, a commitment the Home Office asserts has been fulfilled. However, critics, including some Tory MPs, dispute these claims, alleging that Downing Street is distorting statistics.
According to a Home Office press release, “increased efficiency” led to the processing of over 112,000 asylum cases last year, surpassing the PM’s commitment. In a four-week period from November 20 to December 17, 2023, 20,481 initial asylum decisions were made, exceeding the total number of decisions made in the entire year of 2021. Prime Minister Sunak contends that these efforts are saving taxpayers millions of pounds, reducing strain on public services, and providing appropriate support to the most vulnerable.
Critics argue that the government’s claims are false, asserting that the asylum backlog has surged under the Tories. They highlight unresolved claims and express concern over the reclassification of 4,500 cases as “complex,” often involving asylum seekers presenting as children. Approximately 100,000 individuals with applications after June 2022 are still in the system, many of them residing in hotels.
Shadow Immigration Minister Stephen Kinnock dismisses the government’s assertions, stating that over 4,000 claims remain unresolved, and 17,000 asylum seekers have been “withdrawn” from the legacy backlog. He criticizes the Tories for seemingly having no knowledge of their whereabouts or whether they are reapplying or disappearing into the underground economy.
While Prime Minister Sunak previously prioritized halting Channel crossings, recent figures indicate a year-on-year decrease for the first time since records began. The government also reports accomplishments in returning over 24,000 individuals with no right to be in the UK, increasing enforcement visits, and arresting 246 people smugglers in 2023. Home Secretary James Cleverly acknowledges the achievement but emphasizes that the job is ongoing, pledging collaboration with global partners to tackle the threat and ensure responsible use of British taxpayer money.
