The United Kingdom received a record-breaking number of asylum applications in 2024, with government data revealing that a total of 108,138 individuals sought refuge within its borders. This marked the highest number of asylum claims in any 12-month period since official records began in 2001 and represented a significant 18% increase from the 91,811 applications submitted in 2023.
The latest figures underscore the mounting pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration to address ongoing migration challenges. Starmer’s Labour-led government has found itself navigating a delicate political landscape as debates over immigration intensify. The rising numbers come amid increasing scrutiny from opposition parties and growing influence from far-right movements, such as Reform UK, which garnered approximately four million votes in the most recent general election.
The surge in asylum requests comes at a time when migration policy is a particularly polarizing issue. Among those seeking asylum, Pakistani nationals represented the largest group, accounting for nearly 10% of the total applications. Additionally, a notable rise was observed in claims from Vietnamese nationals, which more than doubled to 5,259 in 2024 from 2,469 the previous year.
Responding to the influx, Starmer’s government has announced measures aimed at streamlining the asylum process while balancing humanitarian obligations with public concerns. During his tenure, Starmer has notably departed from the controversial migration policies of his predecessor, Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, which included plans to deport undocumented migrants to Rwanda as a deterrent. Starmer scrapped this policy shortly after taking office in July, instead pledging to focus on dismantling human-smuggling networks and curbing illegal migration.
Undocumented migrants arriving via small boats across the English Channel have continued to be a major area of concern, with this group accounting for 32% of all asylum claims in 2024. The number of individuals crossing from France to England rose slightly to 36,816, compared to the previous year. While critics argue that more needs to be done to address these crossings, Starmer has emphasized his commitment to finding solutions that are both effective and humane.
Angela Eagle, the UK’s Border Security and Asylum Minister, has reiterated the government’s commitment to expediting asylum decision-making and deporting individuals whose claims are denied. By the end of 2024, a staggering 124,802 applicants were still awaiting an initial decision on their asylum requests.
Eagle also highlighted efforts to reduce legal migration, which has been running at historically high levels. Net migration figures for 2023–2024 stood at 728,000—an improvement compared to the record-breaking 906,000 recorded the previous year but still a focal point for political debate.
“We are prioritizing the reduction of net migration levels while ensuring that our immigration system upholds fairness and integrity. Asylum decisions must be made swiftly, and we are committed to returning individuals whose applications are unsuccessful,” Eagle stated.
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