The number of people claiming asylum in the UK reached its highest level on record in 2024, according to new figures from the Home Office. Data published on Thursday revealed that 108,138 people sought asylum in the year to December 2024—an 18% increase on 2023 and nearly double the figure recorded in 2021.
The previous peak, recorded in 2002, has now been surpassed as small boat arrivals continue to drive the rise in applications. While the number of people arriving via small boats increased by 25% in 2024 compared to the previous year, it remained 20% lower than in 2022.
Growing Backlog and Immigration Detention
Despite the increase in claims, the backlog of asylum cases awaiting an initial decision saw a modest reduction, dropping by 5% over the year. However, as of December 2024, more than 90,600 cases—affecting approximately 124,800 people—remained unresolved, a figure still significantly higher than pre-2022 levels.
Meanwhile, the UK also saw an increase in immigration detention, with 12% more people detained in 2024. The government returned 2,251 people to another country after arriving by small boat—up 10% on the previous year.
Government and Opposition Responses
A spokesperson for the prime minister acknowledged the challenges posed by migration, stating that while there were “no quick fixes,” the government remained committed to restoring order to the asylum system.
Border Security and Asylum Minister Angela Eagle blamed the previous Conservative government for a “broken asylum system” and said Labour had inherited a “huge backlog” of claims. She emphasised that while progress was being made, it would take time to resolve the crisis.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp countered that the figures were “no surprise,” attributing them to a lack of deterrents under Labour. He insisted that responsibility for the record-high claims lay with the current government, which he accused of being slow to act.
Calls for Safe Routes and Housing Concerns
Humanitarian organisations, including the British Red Cross, have urged the government to create safer routes for asylum seekers to prevent dangerous crossings. Mubeen Bhutta, the organisation’s director of policy, research, and advocacy, stressed that “too many people are making perilous journeys because they have no other option.”
The use of hotels to accommodate asylum seekers remains a pressing issue, with more than 38,000 individuals housed in hotels at the end of December 2024. While this is lower than the September 2023 peak of 56,000, the government has pledged to end the practice by the end of the current parliamentary term.
Changes to Legal Migration
Alongside a rise in irregular arrivals, legal migration has seen a significant shift. The number of work and study visas issued in 2024 fell by approximately 250,000, largely due to stricter immigration rules introduced by the previous Conservative government. Measures included an increase in the minimum salary threshold for skilled worker visas and restrictions on health and care workers bringing family members.
Labour has since announced additional measures, including tougher visa sponsorship rules for migrant workers. A White Paper outlining a broader strategy to reduce legal migration is expected later this year.
Dr. Ben Brindle of the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford noted that while visa grants have declined, they remain above pre-Brexit levels. He described the recent fluctuations as a “boom and bust” cycle in certain visa categories, driven by post-Brexit immigration policies.
As the government seeks to balance border security with economic and humanitarian considerations, the record-high asylum claims highlight the complexity of the UK’s immigration challenges.
