Nearly 42,000 UK asylum seekers waiting on appeal

Nearly 42,000 UK asylum seekers waiting on appeal

The backlog of asylum seekers waiting for appeal hearings after having their initial claims rejected has surged to nearly 42,000, an analysis of official figures has shown. This represents a five-fold increase over the past two years, with concerns raised by the Refugee Council about the government potentially shifting the asylum crisis from one part of the system to another. Meanwhile, approximately 40,000 migrants remain accommodated in hotels, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced in the asylum process.

The Home Office has responded by doubling the number of asylum seekers receiving initial decisions on their claims and dedicating additional funding for more court hearing days. Despite these efforts, the government continues to face criticism over the high costs associated with accommodating asylum seekers in hotels. A government spokesperson emphasized the commitment to phasing out the use of asylum hotels over time and reducing the overall costs of providing accommodation.

According to the Refugee Council, stricter legislation introduced by the previous Conservative government has resulted in a higher rate of asylum claims being rejected. The implementation of the Nationality and Borders Act has made it increasingly difficult for individuals to demonstrate genuine refugee status, leading to a notable decrease in the approval rate for Afghans seeking sanctuary. The organization has called for improved and fairer decision-making processes to ensure that refugees are granted safety and the opportunity to contribute positively to communities across the country.

The Chief Executive of the Refugee Council, Enver Solomon, stressed the importance of achieving accurate decisions on asylum claims the first time around. He emphasized that such a approach would enable refugees to integrate into society effectively, while also ensuring that individuals without a legitimate right to remain in the UK are treated with dignity and respect. The organization has highlighted the ongoing accommodation needs of those awaiting appeal hearings and warned of the potential financial implications, estimating that the cost of hotels could reach £1.5 billion this year

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