The UK government has identified tackling illegal immigration and restoring order to the asylum system as key priorities, according to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. This focus comes as small boat crossings have reached record levels, with 12,699 people arriving in small boats by May 14th.
Labour’s Asylum Hotel Promise
Labour had promised to "end asylum hotels" in its general election manifesto, aiming to save taxpayers billions of pounds by the end of this parliament, which is set for 2029. However, figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request show that more hotels were used to house asylum seekers in December than when Labour took office in July.
- The number of hotels rose from 212, accommodating around 37,500 people, to 218, housing approximately 38,000 individuals.
- Using asylum hotels is expensive, costing £8 million per day during the fiscal year 2023-24.
Asylum Claims and Legal Protections
Almost everyone who arrives by small boat claims asylum; they accounted for one-third of all applications last year. Another significant group consists of individuals already residing in Britain who have overstayed their visas. These individuals receive legal protections until a decision regarding their application’s validity is made.
In recent months, there has been a notable increase in decisions handed down compared to previous timeframes prior to elections. The UK has seen record numbers entering illegally via lorry or hiding among cargo shipments, while legitimate entry routes account for nearly the entire population coming into the country annually, except for a few thousand irregular migrants seeking safety who are still waiting for the resolution process to conclude.
Temporary Accommodation for Asylum Seekers
Asylum seekers are often housed in temporary accommodation such as hostels or B&Bs before being moved into permanent homes after receiving an initial decision on their claim.
The Home Office stated it was working hard "to get people out of these temporary arrangements and into settled accommodation." It added: "We will continue our efforts across government and with partners across society."
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