The UK’s asylum system is in a state of crisis and, despite the recent change in government, urgent reforms are needed to address the chaos and dysfunction that have plagued it for years. Although Labour has made significant strides by abolishing harmful policies like the Rwanda deportation plan and confirming that the Bibby Stockholm barge will no longer house asylum seekers after January 2025, much more needs to be done.
Violent far-right riots in August 2024, targeting asylum seekers in hotels, people of colour, and Muslims, have only deepened the fear and uncertainty. Although these attacks were followed by peaceful counter-protests and criminal charges, many asylum seekers still feel unwelcome in a country they hoped would offer safety.
The current state of the system leaves nearly 120,000 people waiting for an initial decision on their asylum claims, with thousands more stuck in permanent limbo, unable to claim asylum or be removed from the UK due to the Illegal Migration Act.
One of the most pressing challenges is the overwhelming backlog of asylum applications and appeals. Nearly 96% of those who crossed the Channel by boat in the past year are still waiting for a decision on their claims, and the backlog of appeals has almost quadrupled, reaching over 27,000. This growing backlog is compounded by a lack of safe, legal routes to the UK, forcing people to risk their lives crossing the Channel. By the end of this year, an estimated 40,300 people will have made the dangerous journey, driven by desperation and the absence of safe, alternative ways to seek safety.
The lack of safe routes is particularly concerning. Resettlement programs are operating at a fraction of previous levels, and the backlog in family reunion applications now stands at over 11,000. Thousands of refugees from high-grant countries like Afghanistan, Syria, Eritrea, and Sudan are stuck in limbo, despite the high likelihood that their asylum claims will eventually be approved. Without immediate reform, this system will continue to leave vulnerable people stranded, with their mental health and wellbeing rapidly deteriorating.
The next government must seize the opportunity to rebuild a humane, efficient, and compassionate asylum system. This includes repealing the Illegal Migration Act, restoring the right to asylum, and ensuring faster, fairer decisions for those fleeing persecution. A new legal framework is required to process asylum claims efficiently, particularly for those from high-grant countries. The government should also implement a safe routes strategy, allowing refugees to seek asylum without risking their lives. This would include reinstating resettlement programs to pre-COVID levels, processing family reunion applications within 12 weeks, and allowing child refugees to sponsor close family members.
Ultimately, the UK must shift its focus from rhetoric to meaningful action. Asylum seekers should be allowed to work after three to six months, and the system must be rebuilt on the principles of fairness, compassion, and respect. Now is the time to act and restore dignity to those seeking safety in the UK.
